A multivariate analysis of factors predictive of parenteral nutrition-related cholestasis (TPN cholestasis) in VLBW infants.

To identify the factors predictive of development of TPN-related cholestasis, we conducted a historical cohort analysis of 62 VLBW infants who received TPN of which 17 developed cholestasis (27.4%). In the cholestatic group, the mean duration of TPN administration was significantly longer (25.7 days vs 8 days, p less than 0.001), the maximum daily amino-acids and lipids in the TPN infusate was significantly higher (amino-acids 2.25 vs 1.25 gm/kg/day, p less than 0.001; lipids 2.0 gm/kg/day vs 1.25 gm/kg/day, p less than 0.01), the duration of fasting was significantly longer (20.7 days vs 6.3 days, p less than 0.001) and the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was significantly higher (58.8% vs 15.5%, p 0.02). Using a linear discriminant analysis model with development of cholestasis as the dependent variable, the duration of TPN (p 0.0000) and the maximum daily amino-acid in infusate (p 0.0000) were found to be independent variables predictive of development of cholestasis. This model may serve to identify VLBW infants who will develop cholestasis during TPN.