Abstract
Human milk fat is a concentrated source of energy and provides essential and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to previous experiments, human milk fat is partially lost during continuous enteral nutrition. However, these experiments were done over relatively short infusion times, and a complete profile of the lost fatty acids was never measured. Whether this loss happens considering longer infusion times or if some fatty acids are lost more than others remain unknown. Pooled breast milk was infused through a feeding tube by a peristaltic pump over a period of 30 min and 4, 12 and 24 h at 2 mL/h. Adsorbed fat was extracted from the tubes, and the fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total fat loss (average fatty acid loss) after 24 h was 0.6 ± 0.1%. Total fat loss after 24 h infusion was 0.6 ± 0.1% of the total fat infused, although the highest losses occur in the first 30 min of infusion (13.0 ± 1.6%). Short-medium chain (0.7%, p = 0.15), long chain (0.6%, p = 0.56), saturated (0.7%, p = 0.4), monounsaturated (0.5%, p = 0.15), polyunsaturated fatty (0.7%, p = 0.15), linoleic (0.7%, p = 0.25), and docosahexaenoic acids (0.6%, p = 0.56) were not selectively adsorbed to the tube. However, very long chain fatty (0.9%, p = 0.04), alpha-linolenic (1.6%, p = 0.02) and arachidonic acids (1%, p = 0.02) were selectively adsorbed and, therefore, lost in a greater proportion than other fatty acids. In all cases, the magnitude of the loss was clinically low.
Highlights
Fat is an important nutrient for preterm infants [1]
Our objectives were: (1) to determine whether fat losses are constant over the infusion time and, if not, when they are more pronounced over the 24-h period; and (2) to test whether there is a selective loss of individual or groups of fatty acids depending on chain length and degree of unsaturation
Human milk (HM) was infused through a 4-French diameter and 40-cm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-free feeding tube (Nutrisafe 2, Vygon, Écouen, France) attached to a PVC system 150 cm in length and 1.5 × 2.5 mm in diameter (Nutrisafe 2, Vygon) by a peristaltic pump (Alaris Enteral, CareFusion, San Diego, CA, USA)
Summary
Fat is an important nutrient for preterm infants [1]. Lipids provide infants most of their energy needs. Lipids offer specific supplies critical for growth and development like long and very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) including essential fatty acids (Alpha-linolenic and Linoleic acids) and their main derivatives: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Arachidonic acid (ARA). DHA and ARA seem to be semi-essential for the preterm infant [2]. Both are major components of the brain, and retinal cell membranes and might be related to neurodevelopment and visual function. In case of an early deficit of these fatty acids, there is an increased risk of prevalent preterm
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
