Abstract
In premature infants LCP (metabolites of linoleic (LIN) and α-linolenic acids) are required for membrane and prostaglandin synthesis and for brain growth. Human milk feeding supplies LCP in amounts matching intrauterine accretion. In contrast, conventional formulae contain almost no LCP. We studied the fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids in 28 preterm infants (gest. age 33.9 ± 1.8 weeks, birthweight 1684 ± 185 g) fed human milk (HM; n= 10), an adapted formula (F; n=10) or the same formula enriched with LCP (LCP-F; n=8) between days 4 and 21.
Results on day 4 were similar in the 3 groups. By day 21, LIN increased in all infants, but more pronounced in F and LCP-F. Arachidonic acid (AA) and the sum of LCP remained stable in HM, but decreased markedly in F. LCP-F showed significantly higher AA-values than F, although not equal to HM. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed a similar trend.
Conclusions: 1. Premature infants fed a conventional formula develop marked reductions of LCP in plasma phospholipids during early life. 2. Low AA-values despite high levels of it's precursor (LIN) in F suggest a low capacity for LCP-synthesis in preterm infants can be improved by LCP-enrichment of their diet, - Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn, FRG
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Koletzko, B., Schmidt, E., Bremer, H. et al. DIET-INDUCED CHANGES OF LONG-CHAIN-POLYUNSATURATES (LCP) IN PLASMA PHOSPHOLIPIDS OF PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 22, 235 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00130
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00130