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Published on: July 1, 2015
Randomized trial of taurine supplementation for infants less than or equal to 1,300-gram birth weight: effect on
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235.
Insights
Taurine supplementation may enhance auditory development in preterm infants. This study found that taurine intake influenced auditory system maturation, showing more mature responses in supplemented infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nutrition
- Developmental neuroscience
- Auditory system development
Background:
- Taurine is crucial for the developing brain and eyes, particularly in preterm infants.
- Preterm infants may have insufficient taurine levels due to limited maternal transfer and immature synthesis.
- Adequate taurine intake is essential for optimal growth and neurodevelopment in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of taurine supplementation on growth, neurobehavioral development, and sensory maturation in preterm infants.
- To determine if taurine supplementation improves electroretinographic development and auditory brainstem-evoked responses.
- To assess the impact of taurine on plasma taurine concentrations in preterm neonates.
Main Methods:
- A blinded, randomized trial involving healthy preterm infants (birth weight ≤ 1,300 g).
- Infants received formula with either low (<5 mg/L) or high (45 mg/L) taurine concentrations until hospital discharge.
- Outcomes measured included growth rates, neurobehavioral development (Brazelton Scale), electroretinography, and auditory brainstem-evoked responses.
Main Results:
- Infants receiving taurine supplementation showed higher plasma taurine concentrations.
- No significant differences were observed in growth rates or neurobehavioral scores between groups.
- Taurine supplementation resulted in more mature auditory-evoked responses at 37 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Conclusions:
- Taurine intake appears to positively influence the maturation of the auditory system in preterm infants.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand taurine's role in preterm infant development.
- Supplementation may be beneficial for optimizing auditory development in vulnerable preterm populations.
Abstract:
Taurine may be important to the developing eye and brain of the small preterm infant. A blinded randomized trial was conducted to determine whether taurine supplementation of healthy infants of less than or equal to 1,300 g birth weight until their discharge from the hospital increases their growth rate, neurobehavioral development, electroretinographic development, or maturation of auditory brainstem-evoked responses. Infants were fed with Similac Special Care as desired, which was prepared to contain less than 5 mg/L of taurine or 45 mg/L of taurine, a concentration similar to that of human milk. Infants who did not receive taurine supplementation (n = 19) and those who did (n = 18) were similar with respect to condition at study entry, caloric intake, and growth rates throughout the study, and electroretinographic findings and scores on the Brazelton Behavioral Assessment Scale at 37 weeks' postmenstrual age. Infants who received taurine supplementation had greater overall plasma taurine concentrations. The group receiving taurine supplementation also had more mature auditory-evoked responses at 37 weeks' postmenstrual age with a modest (0.2 to 0.5 ms) but consistent reduction (P less than .05) in the interval between stimulus and response at two different stimulation rates. Although further study is needed, taurine intake appears to influence auditory system maturation of preterm infants.
