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Published on: December 31, 2015
Delta-6 desaturase activity during the first year of life in preterm infants
Nobuhiko Nagano1, Tomoo Okada2, Kazunori Kayama1
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Preterm infants show high delta-6 desaturase (D6D) activity at birth, crucial for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This activity significantly declines postnatally, impacting infant nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Pediatrics
Background:
- High delta-6 desaturase (D6D) activity in term neonates is vital for polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) regulation.
- Understanding D6D activity in preterm infants is essential for their nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate delta-6 desaturase (D6D) activity in preterm infants.
- To analyze the postnatal changes in D6D activity and its impact on PUFA profiles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of red blood cell PUFA in 43 appropriate-for-gestational-age preterm infants.
- Estimation of D6D activity using the 20:3n-6/18:2n-6 ratio at birth, 1, 6, and 12 months.
- Tracking changes in arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants exhibited high D6D activity at birth, comparable to term infants.
- D6D activity decreased significantly postnatally, reaching one-sixth of birth levels by six months.
- Arachidonic acid followed D6D activity trends, while docosahexaenoic acid showed a transient dip at one month.
Conclusions:
- Delta-6 desaturase (D6D) plays a key role in regulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile in preterm infants.
- The observed postnatal decline in D6D activity is a critical factor in early infant nutrition.
- D6D activity is particularly important during the early postnatal period for preterm infants.
Abstract:
Term neonates have high delta-6 desaturase (D6D) activity, which is important for regulating polyunsaturated fatty acid's (PUFA) nutritional status. The aim was to investigate D6D activity in preterm infants and its postnatal changes. Forty-three appropriate-for-gestational-age infants were included. PUFA in red blood cells was analyzed at birth and at one, six, and 12 months of age. D6D activity was estimated by 20:3n-6/18:2n-6 ratio. At birth, preterm infants had D6D activity as high as that of term infants; D6D activity declined to about one-third at one month, then further decreased to about one-sixth at six months and remained stable until 12 months. The postnatal change in arachidonic acid exhibited a similar pattern to that of D6D activity; however, docosahexaenoic acid showed a transient decrease at one month and recovered to the cord blood level at six months. D6D may regulate PUFA profile in preterm infants, especially during the early postnatal period.
