Effects of a Low Birthweight Infant Formula Containing Human Milk Levels of Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acids

BackgroundVitamins A and E are two potent antioxidant nutrients that play a significant role in immune function. In contrast to the numerous studies of vitamin A and E status in children, adolescents, and adults, information on term infants, particularly breast‐fed infants, is scarce. The goals of the present investigation were to examine the vitamins A and E nutritional status of term breast‐fed infants at birth and to assess retinol and tocopherol plasma levels during a 3‐month supplementation trial.MethodsThe study was a prospective, blinded comparison of a supplementation protocol with a placebo in a group of consecutively recruited term newborns. The supplemented group received 3000 IU vitamin A and 5 IU vitamin E orally. The placebo group received a solution of similar viscosity and organoleptic characteristics. Vitamin A and E were separated by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography on a C18 Spectrasyl column and quantified by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.ResultsVitamin A and E levels steadily increased with age in both groups of infants. However, levels at 3 months were higher in the supplemented than in the control group.ConclusionThe data show that supplementation with 3000 IU vitamin A and 5 IU vitamin E for 3 months increases circulating vitamin levels in newborn term babies compared with those in nonsupplemented infants.

Vitamin A and E Supplementation in Breast‐Fed Newborns

Delvin,

Salle,

Reygrobellet

et al. 2000

Influence of Dietary Cholesterol on Vitamin D Metabolism in Formula‐Fed Preterm Neonates

Picaud,

Boucher,

Lapillonne

et al. 2002

ObjectivesSupplementation of preterm formulas with cholesterol could help to mimic the fat composition of human milk. However, this could possibly influence vitamin D 25‐hydroxylation because this reaction is catalyzed in part by the mitochondrial cytochrome P‐450, the enzyme responsible for the 27‐hydroxylation of cholesterol. The purpose of this study was to verify whether the addition of cholesterol to preterm formulas could interfere with vitamin D metabolism in preterm neonates.MethodsIn a prospective study, 30 preterm neonates were randomly assigned to a low (< 0.03 g/L), medium (0.15 g/L), or high (0.30 g/L) cholesterol‐content preterm formula until theoretical term (i.e., 40 weeks post‐conceptional age). Anthropometric data and serum hydroxy‐vitamin D and 1,25 dihydroxy‐vitamin D concentrations were measured at study entry and theoretical term. In a subgroup of 14 subjects, serum cholesterol and lymphocyte 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA were also assessed.Results(median [25th, 75 th centiles]): At theoretical term, there were no significant differences in serum hydroxy‐vitamin D concentrations among the three groups, even after adjustment for confounding variables (65 [50, 78] nmol/L, 79 [59, 86] nmol/L, and 67 [43, 103] nmol/L, respectively, P = 0.65) or 1,25 dihydroxy‐vitamin D (P = 0.88). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA copy numbers.ConclusionsIn preterm neonates fed formulas with a cholesterol content similar to or higher than that of human milk, we did not observe deleterious effects on vitamin D metabolism. However, long‐term effects of cholesterol supplementation require further studies.

Effect of Supplementation of Preterm Formula With Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Mineral Balance in Preterm Infants

Martinez,

Sieber,

Jorge

et al. 2002

BackgroundIncorporation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) into formulas may interfere with mineral metabolism. We investigate mineral balance in preterm infants who were fed a formula with LCP.MethodsInfants were randomized in a double‐blind manner, 20 infants in each group, to receive a formula with LCP (F+LCP) or without LCP (F) for 30 days. Plasma levels (at the beginning and after 30 days) and nutritional balance (after 1 week) for Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Cu were obtained for all infants.ResultsGroups were similar regarding birth weight, gestational age, weight, and corrected age at study start. During the 30‐day study period, the groups had comparable milk intake and reached similar and satisfactory weight gains and longitudinal growth. Within each group, there was no change in plasma mineral concentrations over the course of the study, and there were no differences at each time point between groups. All values were within the normal range for age. No differences in mineral balance were detected between the F and F+LCP groups, with both groups demonstrating comparable intake, net retention, and fecal losses of each mineral.ConclusionsAdding a content of LCP blend similar to that of human milk to a preterm formula caused no disturbance in Ca, P, Mg, Zn, or Cu nutritional balance.