Compassionate Use of SMOFlipid® for Critically Ill Infants (H-34444)

Baylor College of Medicine is the first institution in the nation to treat infants with SMOFlipid®, an intravenous lipid emulsion. Because it is currently not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the drug is administered under compassionate use to babies with liver disease that are having difficulty growing. Babies born prematurely or with complications are at an increased risk for liver disease because oftentimes they cannot tolerate oral or tube feeds, and must be nourished intravenously, which can over time cause liver damage. SMOFlipid®, which contains soybean oil, medium-chain triglycerides, olive oil and fish oil was developed to provide energy, essential fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. It provides vulnerable babies with the additional calories they need to grow, without further damaging the liver.

For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Hair at (832) 826-3719 or abhair@bcm.edu.