Abstract
In umbilical cord and maternal blood plasma free carnitine is significantly lower than in plasma of non-pregnant women. Acetylcarnitine but not free carnitine was elevated in cord blood from premature in comparison with full-term infants. In the first hours after birth plasma acetylcarnitine increases significantly but free carnitine remains unchanged. However, in infants receiving carnitine free diets (soy protein based formula) the levels of both free and acetylcarnitine are significantly lower than in infants receiving human breast milk or cow's milk based formulas which contain 50-200 nmol/ml carnitine. There was no correlation between the dietary intake of the amino acid precursors of carnitine, methionine and leucine, and carnitine blood levels. Soy formulas contain more methionine and leucine than cow's milk formulas and human breast milk; hence decreased carnitine in infants fed soy formula is not due to decreased synthesis because of a lack of precursor amino acids.
Carnitine functions to facilitate transport of fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. During the neonatal period the oxidation of fatty acids to produce energy is of great importance and less than optimal carnitine intake may have a detrimental effect on growth and development.
Supported by NIH grant no. HDO4946.
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Novak, M., Wieser, P., Buch, M. et al. 206 EFFECT OF NUTRITION ON DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES OF CARNITINE AND ACETYLCARNITINE PLASMA LEVELS IN NEWBORN INFANTS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 398 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00211
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00211