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Parenteral nutrition in neonatal foals: clinical description, complications and outcome in 53 foals (1995-2005).
Abstract: This retrospective study describes the use of and complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN) administration to 53 equine neonates at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Medical records were examined and information obtained on signalment, physical examination, clinical diagnosis, outcome, total hospitalization time, insulin administration, microbiology culture results, other complications (i.e. thrombophlebitis) and necropsy findings. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry analytes, venous blood gas, serum electrolyte and glucose concentrations, and blood lactate concentration results were compared before and during PN administration in all foals. Seventeen foals (32%) developed hypertriglyceridemia (>200mg/dL). Triglyceride concentrations >200mg/dL were significantly (P=0.049) associated with non-survival. Forty-seven foals (89%) developed hyperglycemia (blood glucose >120mg/dL) and eight (15%) developed catheter-related complications (thrombosis or local sepsis). Packed cell volume, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations decreased while foals were on PN, while serum chloride concentration increased. This study highlighted that hypertriglyceridemia during the acute phase of neonatal illness may be detrimental to outcome, and that the safety of lipid-containing solutions in foals warrants further study.
Publication Date: 2008-04-28 PubMed ID: 18440842DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.02.024Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article examines the use and potential complications of parenteral nutrition in newborn foals, based on a study of 53 cases from the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between 1995 and 2005.
Research Methodology
- The researchers retrospectively studied medical records of 53 neonatal foals that received parenteral nutrition (PN) at the referenced hospital.
- Data collected included physical examination records, clinical diagnosis, outcome, total hospitalization time, insulin administration, microbiology culture results, and complications such as thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins due to a blood clot) and necropsy findings.
- The researchers also compared complete blood count and serum biochemistry analytes, venous blood gas, serum electrolyte and glucose concentrations, and blood lactate concentration results before and during PN administration.
Findings and Results
- Out of the 53 foals, 17 (32%) developed hypertriglyceridemia, a condition characterised by high levels of triglycerides in the blood, with a level exceeding 200mg/dL.
- There was a statistically significant association found between high triglyceride concentrations and non-survival.
- Majority of the foals, 47 out of 53 (89%), developed hyperglycemia, a condition marked by high blood glucose, with a level exceeding 120mg/dL.
- Catheter-related complications transpired in 8 foals (15%), presented either as thrombosis (blood clot in a vein) or local sepsis (serious body-wide response to a blood infection).
- While the foals were on PN, there were significant reductions noted in packed cell volume, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations. However, there was an increase in serum chloride concentration.
Implications of the Study
- This study signifies potential risks involved with the use of PN in neonatal foals, especially with regards to the development of hypertriglyceridemia during the acute phase of the neonatal illness, which was found to negatively impact the survival of the foals.
- It also brings attention to the development of hyperglycemia and the potential for catheter-related complications.
- The study concludes with a recommendation for further research into the safety of lipid-containing solutions in foals receiving PN.
Cite This Article
APA
Myers CJ, Magdesian KG, Kass PH, Madigan JE, Rhodes DM, Marks SL.
(2008).
Parenteral nutrition in neonatal foals: clinical description, complications and outcome in 53 foals (1995-2005).
Vet J, 181(2), 137-144.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.02.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Blood Glucose / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Hospitalization
- Hospitals, Animal
- Hypertriglyceridemia / blood
- Hypertriglyceridemia / mortality
- Hypertriglyceridemia / therapy
- Hypertriglyceridemia / veterinary
- Parenteral Nutrition / adverse effects
- Parenteral Nutrition / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Survival Analysis
- Survivors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Luethy D, Stefanovski D, Sweeney RW. Refeeding syndrome in small ruminants receiving parenteral nutrition. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jul;34(4):1674-1679.
- Barr B. Nutritional management of the foal with diarrhoea. Equine Vet Educ 2018 Feb;30(2):100-105.
- Clore ER, Freeman LM, Bedenice D, Buffington CA, Anderson DE. Retrospective evaluation of parenteral nutrition in alpacas: 22 cases (2002-2008). J Vet Intern Med 2011 May-Jun;25(3):598-604.
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