A pediatric amino acid solution for total parenteral nutrition does not affect liver function test results in neonates

Abstract

Purpose: We studied the effects of an amino acid mixture used for total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in pediatrics, on the liver function test results (LFTs) of neonates.

Methods: Thirty neonatal surgical patients were randomly divided into three groups according to the dose of amino acids given: group H ( n = 12, 3.45 +/- 0.07 g/kg per day), group M ( n = 8, 2.59 +/- 0.07 g/kg per day), and group L ( n = 10, 1.72 +/- 0.06 g/kg per day). All patients received the same amount of dextrose (average 21.5 g/kg per day) and no lipid.

Results: There were no significant differences in LFTs, namely, direct bilirubin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bile acids, among the three groups on the tenth day of TPN.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that this amino acid solution for pediatrics has no significant effect on LFTs in neonates, even when high doses of amino acids (3.5 g/kg per day) are infused.