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Carnitine longitudinal pattern in preterm infants <1800 g body weight: a case-control study
Federico Baronio1, Beatrice Righi1, Francesca Righetti1
1Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Regional Centre for Expanded Newborn Screening, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Pediatric Research
|July 11, 2019
Summary
Preterm infants with low birth weight (<1800g) show altered free carnitine (C0) and total acylcarnitine (AC) levels. Body weight and nutrition type significantly impact carnitine patterns in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Carnitine is essential for fatty acid metabolism, particularly in neonates.
- Preterm infants with low birth weight (<1800g) may have altered carnitine metabolism.
- Understanding carnitine levels and influencing factors is crucial for neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate free carnitine (C0) and total acylcarnitine (AC) levels in preterm infants (<1800g).
- To explore the relationship between carnitine levels and neonatal/perinatal factors.
- To analyze the longitudinal changes in carnitine levels in different infant groups.
Main Methods:
- Dried blood samples (DBS) analyzed from 92 preterm infants (<1800g) with low carnitine (Group 1) and 92 controls (<1800g) (Group 2).
- A control group of 92 term or near-term newborns (>1800g) was also included (Group 3).
- Carnitine levels (C0, AC) were measured at 48-72h, 14 days, and 30 days of age.
Main Results:
- C0 and AC levels decreased significantly from 48-72h to 14 and 30 days in preterm infants (Groups 1 & 2).
- Preterm infants with very low birth weight (<1000g) receiving carnitine-free parenteral nutrition showed lower carnitine levels.
- Only in the control group (Group 2) did C0 levels increase by 30 days, indicating distinct metabolic patterns.
Conclusions:
- Body weight and the type of nutrition significantly influence the longitudinal pattern of carnitine levels in infants.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and potentially supplementing carnitine in vulnerable preterm infants.
- Optimizing nutritional strategies is key to supporting carnitine homeostasis in neonates.
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