High calorie infusion-induced hepatic impairments in infants.

Hepatic impairments have been reported sporadically in infants receiving long-term high calorie infusion. Some characteristic hepatic impairments induced with high calorie infusion at the Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, are studied in 18 surgical infants, with discussion of the possible etiology of this complication in the context of high calorie infusion. The hepatic dysfunctions were classified into 3 types by sequential liver function determinations: Type I with a transient and slightly elevated serum transaminase without elevation of alkaline phosphatase; Type II, an elevation of alkaline phosphatase and total and direct bilirubin without elevation of serum transaminase; Type III, a marked and prolonged elevation of aklaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin, and serum transaminase. The etiology of these hepatic impairments during high calorie infusion is unknown.