Fatty acid composition of plasma and red blood cell phospholipids in preterm infants from 2 weeks to 6 months postpartum
Related Experiment Videos
P Luukkainen1, M K Salo, M Janas
1Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tampere, Finland.
Insights
Preterm infants fed formula lacking long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) showed decreased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels. Human milk feeding maintained or increased DHA status in preterm infants up to six months postpartum.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Neonatalogy
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Preterm infants have unique nutritional needs for growth and development.
- Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) are crucial for neurodevelopment and visual function.
- Human milk is the optimal source of LCPs, but preterm infants may require specialized formulas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) status in preterm infants fed human milk versus formula.
- To compare changes in specific fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), over six months postpartum.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 22 preterm infants (27-33 weeks gestation).
- Infants were fed human milk for at least 4 weeks, then either exclusively human milk or formula.
- Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) phospholipid fatty acid composition analyzed by gas chromatography at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum.
Main Results:
- Formula-fed infants showed increased linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) with decreased arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) in plasma.
- Red blood cell (RBC) arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) remained stable in both groups.
- Docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) significantly decreased in plasma and RBC of formula-fed infants, while it increased in human milk-fed infants.
Conclusions:
- Formula devoid of LCPs negatively impacts DHA status in preterm infants.
- Continued human milk feeding supports adequate DHA levels in preterm infants.
- RBC arachidonic acid levels appear resilient to dietary changes in this preterm infant cohort.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to follow the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCP) status in initially human milk-fed preterm infants from 2 weeks to 6 months postpartum. Twenty-two infants aged 27-33 weeks of gestation at birth who had a birthweight of 710-2525 g were fed human milk for > or = 4 weeks. After discharge from the hospital, they were either human milk-fed or formula-fed according to their mothers' decision: 10 were fully breast-fed for 6 months and 12 were formula-fed after discharge at 1-2 months. The formula fat contained 20% 18:2n-6 and 3% 18:3n-3 but was devoid of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP). Blood samples were taken at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postpartum. Percentage fatty acid compositions in red blood cell (RBC) and plasma total phospholipids were analyzed by capillary gas liquid chromatography. In formula-fed infants, the change from human milk to formula resulted in a significant rise in plasma and RBC 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3 and a decrease in plasma 20:4n-6. Interestingly, RBC 20:4n-6 remained constant in both groups, even after 4-5 months of formula feeding. In the formula-fed group, RBC 22:5n-6 showed an increasing trend. The largest changes were seen in 22:6n-3; in the formula-fed group, it decreased in both plasma and RBC, whereas in the human milk-fed group, it showed an increasing trend.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)