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Changes in erythrocyte lipid stroma in the premature infant according to dietary fat composition
Insights
Premature infants fed low linoleic acid formulas showed changes similar to essential fatty acid deficiency. Higher linoleic acid intake improved fatty acid profiles without clinical symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Infant Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Essential fatty acids are crucial for infant development.
- Linoleic acid is a key omega-6 fatty acid with important physiological roles.
- Premature infants have unique nutritional needs and are susceptible to deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying linoleic acid intake on premature infants' fatty acid profiles.
- To determine the optimal dietary linoleic acid levels for healthy infant development.
- To compare infant responses to essential fatty acid intake with established animal models.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen premature infants were divided into three groups.
- Each group received a milk formula with a different percentage of linoleic acid (0.6%, 6.1%, or 15.9% of total calories).
- Red blood cell fatty acids were analyzed before feeding and at three weeks of age.
Main Results:
- Infants fed the lowest linoleic acid formula (0.6%) exhibited changes indicative of essential fatty acid deficiency.
- These changes included decreased linoleic acid, increased oleic acid, and elevated 20:3(n-9).
- Higher linoleic acid intake (15.9%) led to increased linoleic acid and decreased 20:3(n-9), with no clinical symptoms observed in any group.
Conclusions:
- Dietary linoleic acid levels significantly impact the fatty acid composition of red blood cells in premature infants.
- Adequate linoleic acid intake is essential to prevent biochemical signs of essential fatty acid deficiency.
- Even with biochemical changes, premature infants tolerated a range of linoleic acid intakes without apparent clinical issues.
Abstract:
Eighteen premature infants of similar gestational age, divided into three groups, were fed 3 milk formulas containing different amounts of linoleic acid. All the cases received 120 calories per kg of weight and day, of which formula A supplied 6.1% of the dietary total calories as linoleic acid, formula B 15.9% and formula C only 0.6%. The fatty acids of red cell ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides were studied in a first sample obtained during the first hours of life before the infants had received any food, and in a second sample taken at the age of three weeks. In the group fed formula C (0.6% of the total calories) changes similar to those described in EFA-deficient rats were found, namely, a decrease of linoleic acid, and an increase of oleic acid and of 20:3 (n-9), with a consequent rise of the triene to tetraene ratio. When the supply of linoleate was highest (15.9% of the total caloric intake) linoleic acid increased, oleic acid decreased and the 20:3 (n-9) practically disappeared. None of the three groups showed any clinical symptoms.