A new amino acid solution specially adapted to preterm infants

Abstract

This study reports amino acid concentrations and nitrogen retention in preterm infants on total parenteral nutrition with a new amino acid solution specially adapted for neonates. The solution contains taurine and ornithine and is characterised by a high concentration of branched chain amino acids and a relatively low concentration of phenylalanine and methionine. Fourteen preterm infants on total parenteral nutrition were investigated; Fifty-one serum amino acid determinations and five nitrogen balances were performed. The concentration of total amino acids and of most individual amino acids increased with the amino acid intake. In the group with the highest amino acid intake (3.2 ± 0.5 g of A.A./kg/d), serum concentration of aspartic acid, glycine, and ornithine only were significantly higher than the values observed in cord blood. There was a positive linear correlation between the nitrogen intake and the nitrogen retention. A nitrogen retention similar to in utero accretion rate was obtained for a nitrogen intake of about 490 mg i.e., 3.2 g of A.A./kg/d. Our data show that this new amino acid solution is well adapted for total parenteral nutrition of preterm infants.