Effects of intravenously administered safflower oil emulsion on respiratory gas exchange of low-birth-weight infants.

Safflower oil emulsion (Liposyn 10%) was infused intravenously to supplement energy intake in five low-birth-weight infants. Respiratory gas exchange was measured before and after the addition of fat emulsion in doses of 1-2 g of fat/kg/day to an intravenous feeding regimen of dextrose and amino acids. The oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production rates were greater during fat infusion in all infants, but the mean respiratory quotient was not different. The increase in energy intake provided by the fat emulsion exceeded the increase in energy expenditure, allowing more energy to be stored for growth.