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Plasma glutamic acid levels in premature newborn
Insights
Plasma glutamic acid (GA) levels did not increase in 24 premature infants after milk feeding. This suggests milk-borne GA is not readily absorbed, potentially easing concerns about monosodium glutamate (MSG) toxicity in infant foods.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Premature infants may have immature digestive systems.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety of additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG) in infant formulas.
- Glutamic acid (GA) is present in milk and is a component of MSG.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma glutamic acid (GA) levels in premature infants.
- To determine if dietary GA from milk affects plasma GA concentrations.
- To assess the implications for monosodium glutamate (MSG) safety in baby foods.
Main Methods:
- Studied 24 premature newborn infants.
- Measured plasma glutamic acid (GA) levels before and after a normal milk feed.
- Monitored plasma GA levels at intervals between 5 and 90 minutes post-feeding.
Main Results:
- No significant increase in plasma glutamic acid (GA) was detected after milk ingestion.
- Plasma GA levels remained stable in the observed post-feeding period.
- The findings indicate limited absorption of dietary GA from milk in this population.
Conclusions:
- Dietary glutamic acid (GA) from milk does not appear to be significantly absorbed into the plasma of premature infants.
- These results may alleviate concerns regarding the potential toxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to infant foods.
- Further research could explore the metabolic fate of dietary GA in neonates.
Abstract:
24 premature, newborn infants were investigated for plasma glutamic acid (GA) levels before and after a normal milk feed, to ascertain if the ingestion of GA present in the milk could result in an increase of its plasma level. No increases were detected in plasma between 5 and 90 min after the feed. These results may be important in respect to the problem of the possible toxicity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to baby foods.