Abstract
Premature infants fed formulas devoid of LCPs exhibit low plasma levels in comparison with their human milk fed counterparts. Whether this results from a limited synthetic capacity or is merely a reflection of dietary intake is not known. With stable isotope technology and a high sensitivity tracer detection using gas-chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry we have measured the conversion of LL and LN acid into their longer chain derivatives in 10 premature infants at one month of age. Five infants (BW 1.17±0.12 kg, GA 28.4±1.3 wks) were fed a standard formula (No LCP), while the other 5 (BW 1.07±0.09 kg, GA 28.8±0.6 wks) received a formula supplemented with ample amounts of LCP (Plus LCP). Uniformly labeled LL and LN acids were mixed with either formulas and administered continuously for 48 hours. Arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of plasma phospholipids (PL) at 48h from the beginning of the labeled diet are reported in table together with their isotopic enrichments, expressed in atom percent excess (APE) The premature infant docs desaturatc and elongate LL to AA and LN to DHA. LCP supplementation up to levels found in breast-fed infants seems not to suppress synthesis. Preterm infants probably have no, or immature regulation of desaturation and elongation of the 18 carbon atom essential fatty acids.
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