Plasma amino acid differences in very low birth weight infants fed either human milk or whey-dominant cow milk

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Published on: December 16, 2015

R J Schanler, C Garza

    Pediatric Research
    |March 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Very low birth weight infants fed whey-dominant formula had higher essential amino acid plasma levels. Fortified human milk supported higher taurine and cystine concentrations, suggesting formula modifications may be needed.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal nutrition
    • Biochemistry
    • Pediatric gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Optimal nutrition is critical for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants' growth and development.
    • Enteral feeding strategies significantly impact nutrient absorption and plasma amino acid profiles.
    • Human milk and specialized formulas offer different nutritional compositions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare plasma amino acid levels in VLBW infants fed fortified human milk versus whey-dominant cow milk-based formula.
    • To assess the impact of different enteral nutrition sources on nitrogen utilization and growth parameters.
    • To identify potential differences in amino acid profiles that may inform formula development.

    Main Methods:

    • 31 healthy VLBW infants (gestation 29 wk, birth weight 1180 g) participated in 96-hour balance studies.
    • Infants received continuous enteral infusions of either fortified human milk (n=18) or whey-dominant cow milk formula (n=13).
    • Midmorning plasma amino acid levels, weight gain, nitrogen retention, and metabolizable energy were measured and compared between groups.

    Main Results:

    • Weight gain, nitrogen retention, and metabolizable energy were similar between the two feeding groups.
    • Infants fed whey-dominant formula showed significantly higher plasma levels of threonine, valine, and total essential amino acids (p<0.01).
    • Fortified human milk resulted in significantly higher plasma concentrations of taurine and cystine (p<0.01), while whey-dominant formula showed higher threonine, valine, methionine, and lysine (p<0.01).

    Conclusions:

    • While growth parameters were comparable, significant differences exist in plasma amino acid profiles between VLBW infants fed fortified human milk and whey-dominant formula.
    • The distinct amino acid profiles suggest that current whey-dominant formulas may require further modifications to better mimic human milk composition.
    • Understanding these differences is crucial for optimizing nutritional strategies and improving outcomes for VLBW infants.

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