Dear all,
We have a case of a long-term TPN patient who has developed liver impairment and is awaiting a biopsy for investigation. We want to rule out TPN as a cause but all of the usual steps of fat free nights / longer feeding time etc have failed
to improve the liver function. The next proposal is to have a complete break from lipid for a few months however we are concerned about the risk of developing essential fatty acid deficiency. Does anyone have any experience / literature about how long it
would take for a deficiency to develop? Any alternative suggestions as to how to replace fatty acids would be welcome, the patient does not have enough distal bowel for oral replacement but there was some talk of potential for skin creams? I would also be
interested to hear if any labs have a protocol for this situation they would be willing to share?
Thanks
Jen
Jennifer Glaysher
Senior Clinical Biochemist
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust
Longmoor Lane
L9 7AL
Phone: 0151 529 3990