Omegaven for the treatment of parenteral nutrition associated liver disease: a case study.

A 17-month-old infant diagnosed with Short Gut Syndrome developed severe cholestasis and hepatopathy due to chronic parenteral nutrition (PN). In an effort to prevent multivisceral organ transplantation, he was started on Omegaven, an experimental alternative form of parenteral lipid. Within six months, his cholestasis had resolved and his hepatopathy had significantly improved. Omegaven uses Omega-3 rather than Omega-6 triglycerides as its primary fat source, improving fat absorption and modulating the systemic inflammatory response. It has also shown promise as a means of alleviating PN-induced cholestasis in several small trials. Omegaven is only available in the United States on compassionate use basis.