Amino acid studies during complete intravenous feeding of small premature infants.

Abstract

Kellerman, G. M., MacMahon, R. A., Leber, M. H. and James, B.E. (1976). Aust. Paediat. J., 12, 255–260. Amino acid studies during complete intravenous feeding of small premature infants. Serum and urine amino acid concentrations were measured during complete intravenous feeding of small premature, infants weighing less than approximately 1 kg at birth, and compared with data from milk‐fed babies. Serum and urine levels of amino acids supplied in the D‐L form were higher in treated infants than in controls. Serum levels of amino acids supplied in the L‐form were lower than normal in treated infants, the only exception being L‐arginine. Serum glycine concentrations were increased 3‐fold in treated infants but serum levels of amino acids not supplied in the infusion were lower than normal in treated babies. The total urinary amino acid concentration in intravenously‐fed infants was up to approximately 20 times that in controls. Improved amino acid solutions are needed to avoid potentially serious developmental problems in these patients.