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Plasma and red blood cell fatty acid composition in small for gestational age term infants fed human milk or formula
M Ramírez1, J Maldonado, J L García-Salmerón
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Granada, Spain.
Insights
Feeding term small for gestational age infants (SGA) a milk formula lacking long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) led to lower plasma docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) compared to human milk.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Infants small for gestational age (SGA) may have altered nutritional needs.
- Fatty acid composition is crucial for infant development.
- Human milk provides essential fatty acids, including long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of human milk versus a standard milk formula on plasma and red blood cell (RBC) lipid fatty acid profiles in term SGA infants.
- To assess the impact of a milk formula with a specific linoleic:alpha-linolenic acid ratio (10:1) on infant fatty acid status.
Main Methods:
- Term SGA infants were assigned to either a human milk (HM) group or a milk formula (MF) group for the first 3 months of life.
- Blood samples were collected at birth, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 3 months.
- Plasma and RBC fatty acid composition was analyzed using gas liquid chromatography.
Main Results:
- Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased with age in plasma lipids.
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) decreased in both plasma and RBCs, irrespective of expression method.
- Plasma and RBC docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) were lower in the MF group compared to the HM group; arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) was lower in plasma of MF-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- Term SGA infants fed a milk formula with a 10:1 linoleic:alpha-linolenic acid ratio, but without added LCP, may develop a low n-3 LCP status.
- The findings highlight potential differences in fatty acid accretion between human milk and standard infant formulas for SGA infants.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of feeding human milk or milk formula on the fatty acid composition of plasma and red blood cell (RBC) lipids in at term small for gestational age infants (SGA) for the first 3 months of life. One group of infants received a formula with a linoleic:alpha-linolenic acid ratio of 10:1 (MF group). Another group served as control and received their own mother's milk (HM group). Blood samples were taken at birth and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 3 months of life. Plasma and RBC fatty acid composition were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and results of total plasma lipids were expressed as concentrations by adding an internal standard. Concentrations of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased in total plasma lipids with age in all infants. In contrast, those fatty acids decreased when results were expressed as percentages of total fatty acids. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) decreased regardless of how results were expressed, but the absolute concentrations of these fatty acids in plasma available for tissue accretion were greater than suggested by the percentage results. Plasma and RBC docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) decreased in the MF group in comparison to the HM group. Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) was lower in plasma of MF-fed infant but not in RBC phospholipids. We conclude that term SGA infants fed an adapted milk formula with a linoleic:alpha-linolenic acid ratio of 10:1 but devoid of LCP may lead to a low n-3 LCP status.