Objective: To evaluate phospholipid response of a preterm infant formula supplemented with Arachidonic Acid (ARA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) from microbial fermentation oils.
Methods: In a prospective, randomized, parallel, double blind, multicenter trial, infants 750-2000 grams exclusively received human milk(HM), a 24 Kcal/oz control preterm formula (C), or the same preterm formula(LCP) with C20:4n6 (ARA) and C22:6n3 (DHA). Blood samples drawn at enrollment(prior to feeds) and at 40 weeks Post Conceptional Age (PCA) were analyzed for fatty acids of 5 phospholipid subfractions.
Results: Differences in phospholipid composition of RBC membranes and plasma between formula groups reflected formula ARA and DHA content (See Table, different scripts = p < 0.05.).
Conclusion: The addition of ARA (0.6%) and DHA (0.4%) to a preterm formula maintains a phospholipid profile in preterm infants that is closer to preterm infants fed HM and different from preterm infants fed unsupplemented preterm formula. Supported by Wyeth Nutritionals International
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Gross, S., Vanderhoof, J., Hegyi, T. et al. A New Arachidonic Acid (ARA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) Supplemented Preterm Formula: Effect on Plasma and Erythrocyte Phospholipid Fatty Acids † 1376. Pediatr Res 41 (Suppl 4), 232 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01395
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01395
