In preterm infants fed HPTF plasma AA disturbances and a decrease in N absorption were reported (Rigo, Acta Paediatr 1995). Subjects and methods: In a blinded controlled study, 3-day metabolic balance was performed and plasma AA were measured at one month of life in 16 VLBW infants randomly designed to receive an acidic whey containing either hydrolysate protein (n=9, BW =1183±242 g, GA=28.9±1.7 wks) or non hydrolysate protein (n=7, BW =1139±162 g, GA=27.7±1.0 wks).Results (mean±1 sd): N Abs% was lower and N Ret tended to be lower in HPTF group, whereas plasma AA were similar in both groups.Table Conclusion: In order to observe similar N Ret infants fed HPTF need a higher N intake than those fed PTF, mainly due to lower N Abs%, but the use of acidic whey protein improved plasma AA which were close to reference values in both groups.

Table 1
Full size table