Abstract
Eleven infants [BW=1230(97)g; GA=29 (0.7)wk; mean (SD)] were fed their mother's milk fortified with skim and cream components derived from heated, lyophilized donor milk for approximately 8 weeks. At 6 wk of age, in conjunction with metabolic balance studies, plasma amino acids levels were measured at 0, 1, and 2 hr after a nasogastric bolus feeding. Mean nitrogen and energy intakes were 480(45) mg/kg/d and 134(6) kcal/kg/d, respectively. Postprandial levels of THR, GLU, ALA, VAL, ILE, LEU, TYR, PHE, LYS, ARG, and MET rose significantly above baseline (P < 0.05). Of these, the greatest increments at 1 hr above baseline were observed for ILE, VAL, LEU, and MET. No amino acids dropped below baseline. The smallest increments were observed for GLY, GLU, TRY, and HPR. When corrected for present estimates of requirements for "essential" amino acids, the apparent order of limiting amino acids was LEU, ILE, PHE + TYR, LYS, THR, VAL, MET + CYS, TRY, and HIS. BUN levels and acid-base status were normal. Albumin and total protein levels were 3.1 (0.6) and 4.4 (0.6), respectively. Weight gain and N retention matched fetal growth and body composition data. These data support the conclusion that to double N concentrations in maternal milk does not overwhelm the abilities of preterm infants to catabolize amino acids. The small increments in amino acids traditionally labeled as "non-essential" suggest that the level of intake or the capacity for their synthesis may be limited.
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Schanler, R., Garza, C. & Nichols, B. PLASMA AMINO ACIDS IN PRETERM INFANTS FED FORTIFIED MOTHER'S MILK. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 211 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00710
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00710