Hypertriglyceridemia in extremely low birth weight infants receiving lipid emulsions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of high TG levels in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and what the risk factors are for high TG levels.

STUDY

DESIGN

We performed a prospective observational study of triglyceride concentrations in extremely low birth weight infants receiving lipid infusions. Lipid infusions were begun at 0.5 grams/kg/day at age one day and the dose advanced by 0.5 grams/kg/day. Triglyceride concentrations were drawn when the dose reached 1 and 2 grams/kg/day. We compared infants with normal triglyceride levels (≤200 mg/dl) with those with elevated triglyceride levels (>200 mg/dl) with univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

There were 75 infants included in the analysis. Twenty (26.7% , 95% CI = 16.6-36.7%) had triglyceride levels >200 mg/dl. On multiple logistic regression analysis, lower birth weight was associated with the risk of an elevated triglyceride level. Triglyceride levels >200 mg/dl did not predict future mortality or morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Elevated TG levels occur commonly in ELBW infants and are associated with a lower birth weight.