PROSTANOID FORMATION DURING FEEDING OF A PRETERM FORMULA WITH LONG-CHAIN POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS IN HEALTHY PRETERM INFANTS DURING THE FIRST WEEKS OF LIFE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of conventional and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP)enriched preterm form ula on prostanoid formation in preterm infants during their first week s of life. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, healthy i nfants received either formula enriched with LCP (n = 10), standard pr eterm formula (n = 10), or (expressed) breast milk (n = 10). Urine was sampled, and anthropometric measurements were taken at study entry an d after the study period of 3 wk. In vivo formation of prostaglandin E -2, thromboxane A(2), and prostacyclin was evaluated by measuring the urinary excretion of the respective index metabolites by gas chromatog raphy-mass spectrometry. There were no significant differences in urin ary prostanoid excretion and anthropometric data between the groups at the end of the study period. We conclude that neither conventional fo rmula nor supplementation of a preterm formula with LCP for a period o f 3 wk substantially influence prostanoid formation in healthy preterm infants.