A NEW BREAST-MILK SUPPLEMENT FOR PRETERM INFANTS

Objective: To assess the effect of a new formula (Prenan), which conta ins n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) on th e fatty acid profile of preterm infants. Methodology: Plasma fatty aci ds were measured in 61 preterm infants at term by gas liquid chromatog raphy. In 20 of these infants, paired samples were collected and chang es in fatty acids with time analysed. Results: Plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were higher in those who had been fed expressed brea st milk (EBM) +/-/or Prenan compared with those fed standard formula+/ -EBM, P<0.05. The plasma arachidonic acid (AA) levels of infants fed P renan were not different to those fed EBM, both groups achieving highe r levels than infants fed standard formula, P<0.05. Further, paired an alysis demonstrated that DHA levels increased in infants changed from standard formula to Prenan to levels equal or higher than those of ful ly breast-fed infants (P<0.01), whereas DHA levels remained unchanged with time in all other groups. Conclusions: The fatty acid composition of Prenan enables preterm infants fed formula to have plasma DHA and AA levels similar to those of infants fed breast milk and consequently different to those of infants fed standard formula. Prenan is an appr opriate supplement to breast milk for preterm infants in that it provi des LC PUFA as well as additional phosphorus and protein without expos ing the infant to intact cows milk protein.