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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88076
Title: RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A SYNTHETIC TRIGLYCERIDE MILK FORMULA FOR PRETERM INFANTS

Author
item LUCAS, A - MRC CHILDHOOD NUTR RES
item QUINLAN, P - MRC CHILDHOOD NUTR RES
item ABRAMS, STEVEN - 6250-00-00
item RYAN, S - LIVERPOOL MATERNITY HOSP
item MEAH, S - LIVERPOOL MATERNITY HOSP
item LUCAS, P - MRC CHILDHOOD NUTR RES

Submitted to: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: We wanted to determine whether the use of a special infant formula containing synthetic structured triglycerides would increase total fat and calcium absorption by infants born prematurely. Triglyceride provides half the dietary energy of babies fed breast milk. Because their bodies are underdeveloped, preterm babies who are fed formula may be prone to fat and calcium malabsorption, so it is important to figure out a way for them to absorb these nutrients for proper brain, eye and bone development. Since breast milk has been found highly beneficial to infants' development, we decided to see what would happen if we fed preterm babies, whose mothers had decided not to breast- feed, a new high-tech formula that matches the triglyceride structure of breast milk. Our results, using balance studies, dual calcium isotope tracers and chemical analysis of stools, showed this formula had a significant impact on fatty acid absorption, reduced calcium soap formation in the gut, and increased calcium absorption from the diet. This would suggest a potentially important role for these synthetic fats in formulas used in neonatal intensive care.

Technical Abstract: Aims-To test whether use of infant formula containing synthetic structured triglycerides results in: (i) increased palmitate absorption; (ii) increased total fat absorption; (iii) reduction in calcium soap formation in the gut; and hence (iv) increased calcium absorption. Methods-A randomised study was made of 24 infants comparing three formulas, ,one containing the synthetic fat Betapol with 74% of palmitate in the 2- position, which was substantially higher than in the two comparison diets (8.4% and 28%). The hypothesised outcomes were tested using balance studies, detailed chemical analysis of stool specimens and dual calcium isotope tracers (calcium orally and calcium intravenously). Results-Three of the four hypotheses were confirmed: use of a formula rich in 2-position palmitate (i) improved palmitate (16:0) and also (18:0) absorption; (ii) reduced the formation of insoluble calcium soaps in the stool; and (iii) improved calcium absorption, determined by the dual trace technique from 42 (SE 3)% to 57 (7)%. Conclusion-Synthetic triglycerides that mimic the stereoisometric structure of those in breast milk may have a valuable role in the design of formulas used for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units.