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Synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns fed formula with long-chain polyunsaturated

Virgilio P Carnielli1, Manuela Simonato, Giovanna Verlato

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Institute of Maternal-Infantile Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. lab2@pediatria.unipd.it

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|November 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants fed formula with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) showed significantly lower synthesis of these crucial long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) over time. This highlights the impact of dietary LCPs on endogenous production in early development.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional science and infant development
  • Biochemistry of fatty acid metabolism

Background:

  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs).
  • LCPs are critical for infant growth and neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the endogenous synthesis of LCPs in preterm infants.
  • To compare LCP synthesis in infants fed formula with or without added LCPs.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized controlled trial involving 22 preterm infants divided into LCP and no-LCP groups.
  • Utilized gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry to measure (13)C-labeled LCPs.
  • Calculated absolute and relative LCP synthesis rates from plasma fatty acid analysis at multiple time points.

Main Results:

  • Arachidonic acid (AA) synthesis decreased from 67.2% at 1 month to 29.0% at 7 months.
  • Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) synthesis decreased from 41.7% at 1 month to 7.4% at 7 months.
  • Both absolute and percentage synthesis of AA and DHA were significantly lower over time in infants receiving LCPs.

Conclusions:

  • A novel method was employed to measure endogenous LCP synthesis in infants receiving dietary LCPs.
  • Preterm infants fed LCP-supplemented formula exhibited dramatically reduced endogenous LCP synthesis by 7 months of age.
Abstract

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