Effects of Formula Protein Level and Ratio on Infant Growth, Plasma Amino Acids and Serum Trace Elements II. Follow-up Formula

Abstract. Infants, that had been formula-fed from birth, were fed follow-up formula with 1.5, 2.2 or 2.9 g protein/dl together with 25 g of cereal/day as supplemental food, or formula only (15 g/dl). Formulas were started at 4 months of age and daily intake, anthropometric measurements and plasma samples taken at 5, 6 and 7 months. Protein intake was 2.0, 3.0 and 3.7 g/kg/d, respectively. Growth data were similar for all groups, as were hemoglobin and serum protein values. BUN values for the group fed only formula with 1.5 g protein/dl were lower than for the group fed the same formula with cereals and the other groups. Plasma amino acids were not affected by the addition of the small amount of cereals to the formula with 1.5 g protein/dl, but significantly higher levels of valine, leucine and histidine were found at 7 months for infants fed the two higher protein levels. The highest protein level also appeared to have a negative effect on plasma zinc levels. These results suggest that a protein level of 1.5 g/dl in follow-up formula (2.0 g/kg/d) is adequate during 4 to 7 months of age and that higher protein levels may be excessive.     

Growth and Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Very Low Birthweight Infants Fed Either Human Milk Protein Fortified Human Milk or a Whey-Predominant Formula

ABSTRACT. In a prospective, study involving 20 VLBW-infants (AGA), divided into two study groups of 10 infants, we have evaluated the effects on growth and metabolism of human milk fortified with ultrafiltrated human milk protein and a whey-predominant (whey/ casein = 60/40) formula containing 2 g/dl of protein. The study was initiated at a mean age of 30 days when an oral intake of 180 ml/kg/d was tolerated and continued until a weight of 2 kg was reached. The protein intake in both groups was about 3.7 g/kg/d. All infants in both groups reached intrauterine rates of growth for the age, weight gain 18.0 g/kg/d, and length 1.2 cm/week. BUN, acid-base status, total protein and albumin were normal and similar in the two groups. Plasma levels of threonine, glycine, citrulline and methionine were significantly greater in the formula-fed infants. Taurine and proline had higher concentrations in the protein fortified human milk group. There was good tolerance of protein from both sources but the differences in plasma amino acid profiles suggest that the dietary protein quality in formulas for preterm infants must be further modified, if the goal of formula feeding is to achieve metabolic indices of protein metabolism similar to those found when human milk protein is used.     

Food Intake and Growth of Infants between Six and Twenty-six Weeks of Age on Breast Milk, Cow's Milk Formula, or Soy Formula

ABSTRACT. In 59 normal infants attending well-baby clinics, food consumption was registered until 26 and growth until 52 weeks of age. They were either breast-fed or formula-fed with a cow's milk product or a soy protein product. The average consumption of breastmilk was 746, 796, 722 and 689 g/day at 6, 14, 22 and 26 weeks respectively. Bottle-fed infants received larger volumes, and at 6 and 14 weeks were the calculated total energy intakes significantly higher than in breast-fed infants. No differences were seen between the feeding groups with respect to length and the sum of four skin folds. The soy formula-fed children, who happened to be 200 g heavier at birth, had lower weight gains during the first 6 weeks than the other two groups. Thereafter, the average weights of the soy formula group did not differ from the other groups. At 3 months, the soy formula-fed children displayed a slower mineralisation and maturation of bone, but the difference was no longer significant when re-examined at 6 months. Formulas based on soy protein isolates seem to be acceptable as substitutes for cow's milk formulas in feeding normal infants.     

Dietary Intake, Trace Elements and Serum Protein Status in Young Diabetics

ABSTRACT. Dietary intake of energy and nutrients and its relation to trace element and protein status, as observed in 27 diabetic children and 13 healthy controls are discussed. The diabetic children had consistently higher intakes than the healthy controls in nearly all respects, except for carbohydrate and ascorbic acid. In spite of this, the diabetic children had a significantly lower mean serum magnesium than the healthy controls. It is suggested that hypomagnesemia in diabetic children may be the result of increased urinary loss or diversion of magnesium from normal metabolic pathways in this disease. This review also revealed a significantly higher mean serum selenium level in the diabetic children than in the healthy controls. However, no significant correlation WBS observed between serum selenium concentrations and protein intake, suggesting that a factor other than protein intake underlay the elevated levels of serum selenium. The diabetic children as a group had significantly lower levels of selected serum proteins than the controls, in spite of a significantly higher intake of protein by the diabetic group. It is suggested that both reduced serum proteins and elevated levels of serum selenium in the diabetic children are an expression of altered metabolism in combination with the effects of current modes of insulin treatment in this disease.     

Protein and Energy Intake during Weaning: I. Effects on Growth

ABSTRACT. The growth and food consumption of 30 healthy infants from 4 to 6 months of age have been measured. Two groups were assigned randomly to either a formula with 1.9 g of protein and 72 kcal per 100 ml (F₁) or 2.7 g of protein and 69 kcal per 100 ml (F₂). A third group of infants were fed breast milk (0.96 g of protein and 65 kcal per 100 ml (HM). All infants received supplementary food according to the same regimen and were fed ad libitum. The mean protein intake was 1.3, 2.6 and 3.6 g/kg/day in the HM-, F₁- and F₂-groups respectively. The corresponding mean energy intake was 80, 101 and 94 kcal/kg/day. The formula-fed infants had significantly higher protein and energy intakes when compared to the breast-fed group. No significant differences were found in the rate of growth of crown-heel length, head circumference or in weight gain. The differences in protein intake between the breast- and formula-fed infants without differences in growth indicate that the formulas may provide a protein intake in excess to the needs.     

Selected Trace Elements and Proteins in Serum of Apparently Healthy Newborn Infants of Mothers Who Smoked during Pregnancy

ABSTRACT. The serum concentrations of selected trace elements and proteins in cord blood from 17 new-bom infants whose mothers were habitual smokers were compared with values from 22 infants of non-smoking mothers. All the mothers were healthy with normal pregnancies and deliveries. Cigarette smoke exposure was verified by determinations of nicotine, cotinine and thiocyanate concentrations in cord blood. Infants of smoking mothers had a slightly lower mean birth weight (3490±430 g) than control infants (3780±460 g). Infants of smokers had lower serum iron ( p =0.05) and prealbumin ( p ≤0.05), but higher serum copper ( p ≤0.05) and ceruloplasmin ( p ≤0.01) levels than the controls. Infants of smoking mothers tended to have higher levels of the acute-phase reactants alpha-₂-macroglobulin and orosomucoid, but lower levels of albumin, transferrin and retinol-binding-protein, although differences were not statistically significant.     

Fasting Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in PKU Children on Two Different Levels of Protein Intake

ABSTRACT. Two groups of children with phenylketonuria were treated with different amounts of protein. One group (RDA group) received protein as recommended by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board, the other (FAO group) the amount recommended by the FAO/WHO 1973 ad hoc Expert Committee. Two of the children in the FAO group showed a decrease in length/growth velocity which raised the question of the adequacy of the protein content in the diet. Since deviations from normal plasma amino acids have been observed in protein deficient, energy-adequate diets, we examined these parameters in the PKU children. In the two children with retardation in length/growth, very high glycine values as well as very high alanine values were observed at the end of the study. These observations strengthened our suspicion that the FAO/WHO 1973 recommendations are marginal.     

Urinary Concentrations of Total Protein, β2-Microglobulin and Amino Acids in Healthy Newborn Infants

The urinary concentrations of total protein, low molecular weight proteins, amylase, and total amino acid were determined from 104 healthy newborn infants during the first 15 days of life. The urine samples were collected after spontaneous voiding every two hours. Neonatal proteinuria was found in 70 per cent of 2 day old infants. No infant older than 8 days showed proteinuria. The ratio of mean value of β2-microglobulin to creatinine was highest on the 5th day of life, followed by a rapid decrease after the 6th day. On the 15th day the β2-microglobulin concentration was still high. The mean ratios of total amino acid to creatinine and amylase to creatinine increased gradually during the first 9 days of life, and then decreased rapidly after the 10th day. The highest urinary concentration of other low molecular weight proteins was found between the 7th and 8th day. On the other hand, the lowest concentration of albumin was found between the 7th and 8th day. These findings suggest that the proximal tubular function is immature in the newborn period. (Acta Paediatr Jpn 23(3):326–332 1981)     

Electrolytes, Amino Acids and Proteins in Lumbar CSF during the Treatment of Acute Leukemia in Childhood

Abstract. We performed analyses of electrolytes, amino acids, albumin, alpha₂-macroglobulin, gamma-globulin and LDH in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid of children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin-lymphoma or acute myeloid leukemia. At the time of diagnosis signs of a disturbance of the blood-brain barrier were found in some patients. During induction treatment with L-asparaginase a rise of glutamic acid and a decrease of glutamine occurred. This finding correlated with slowing of the EEG. Treatment with vincristine was associated with a slight drop of sodium and chloride concentration in serum, but not in the cerebrospinal fluid. Central nervous system prophylaxis with cranial irradiation, and to a lesser degree with intravenous medium-dose methotrexate, gave rise to a further deterioration of the blood-brain barrier function as indicated by an increase in albumin, alpha₂-macroglobulin and LDH levels. During radiotherapy the concentration of several amino acids rose, probably due to a disturbance of active carrier mechanisms. Patients with elevated albumin at the end of radiotherapy more often suffered an early leukemia relapse while still on treatment. No other clinical or electroencephalographic correlations of altered barrier function could be found.     

新生儿血清瘦素、生长激素、胰岛素样生长因子-1、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3水平与宫内发育的关系

目的 探讨瘦素(leptin)、生长激素(GH)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)在不同宫内发育状况胎儿中的变化,及对胎儿生长发育调控的作用.方法 2004年1月-2006年6月出生早产小于胎龄儿(A组)30例,早产适于胎龄儿(B组)36例,足月小于胎龄儿(C组)32例,足月适于胎龄儿(D组)37例.生后24 h内抽取患儿静脉血,用放射免疫法(RIA)检测其血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平,组间比较采用及多元回归相关分析.结果 各组新生儿血清leptin、GH、IGF-1、IGFBP-3水平均存在明显差异(Pa<0.05,0.01),各指标基本呈C、A、B、D组次序由低到高,但A组IGF-1与C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);在A、B和C组,出生体质量与leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3呈正相关(Pa<0.01),而D组出生体质量与IGF-1呈正相关(P<0.01),与其他激素无相关性.结论 leptin、IGF-1、IGFBP-3参与宫内发育迟缓儿和早产儿宫内生长发育的调控.IGF-1在早产适于胎龄儿的宫内生长发育中也起调控作用,而leptin、GH、IGFBP-3均不是足月适于胎龄儿生长发育的主要调节因素.     

Supplementation of an adapted formula with bovine lactoferrin. 2. Effects on serum iron, ferritin and zinc levels

Breast milk provides an excellent supply of most nutrients for newborn infants. Infant formulae should be nutritionally comparable to breast milk especially with regard to critical nutrients like iron and other trace elements. Infant formulae supplemented with various amounts of bovine lactoferrin were given to two groups of infants. These infants were compared with infants receiving unsupplemented formula and breast-fed infants. The effects of these diets on levels of haemoglobin, haematocrit, serum iron, ferritin and zinc were examined for a study period of 150 days. At birth, concentrations of iron, haemoglobin, haematocrit and zinc were comparable in all four feeding groups. The fact that the serum zinc level was not altered by lactoferrin supplementation appears to rule out an in-vivo effect of lactoferrin on zinc nutrition of infants. Ferritin levels of breast-fed infants were significantly higher than in non-supplemented formula-fed infants at day 30 and day 90. This difference was seen only at day 30, when comparing breast-fed infants to lactoferrin-supplemented formula-fed infants. Comparing the infants receiving formulae, the formula supplemented with the higher amount of bovine lactoferrin induced significantly higher serum ferritin levels compared to the unsupplemented formula at day 90 and day 150. These observations favour the idea that lactoferrin may be involved in iron absorption. Since this effect was pronounced only after 90 days, it has to be discussed as to whether this effect is a convincing argument for supplementing infant formulae with bovine lactoferrin.     

Effect of Phosphate Supplementation to Breast Fed Very Low Birthweight Infants on Urinary Calcium Excretion, Serum Immunoreactive Parathyroid Hormon and Plasma 1.25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D Concentration

ABSTRACT. The effect of two doses of Phosphorus (P) supplementation to pooled breast milk (BM): 0.48 and 0.800 mmol/kg/24 h given during the second month of life was evaluated in 22 very low birthweight infants. The concentration of calcium and phosphorus in serum and urine, the serum concentration of immunoreactive parathyroid hormon (iPTH) and the plasma 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D concentration (1,25-OH-D) were compared to the values in 19 control infants. The mean ± SD concentrations in control infants and adults are 63 ±18 ulEq/ml for serum iPTH and 85±pmol/l for plasma 1,25-OH-D. With 0.48 P supplementation, urinary Ca (UCa) excretion (median and range) 0.238 mmol/kg/24 h (0.105-0.520) was lower than in the control group 0.288 (0.205-0.679) (p<0.05); the reduction of UCa was larger with 0.8 P supplementation: 0.047 (0.023-0.163) (p<0.01). P supplementation induced no change in serum Ca concentration but a slight and significant increase in serum iPTH was observed only with the 0.8 P supplementation: 55 μl Eq/ml (<25-80) (p<0.05). With 0.8 P supplementation there was no significant change of plasma 1,25-OH-D concentration: 173 μmol/l (106-271) vs. 255 (132-293) in the control group. These data show that with 0.8 P supplementation, the hypercalciuria in BM-fed infant disappears without secondary hyperparathyroidism, but without any change in plasma 1,25-OH-D concentration.     

缺氧缺血性脑病新生儿血清瘦素、胰岛素样生长因子-1、白细胞介素-6和肿瘤坏死因子-α水平的变化

目的研究缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)新生儿血清瘦素(Leptin)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)I、L-6及TNF-α水平的动态变化的意义。方法选择窒息新生儿45例为HIE组,同期健康新生儿20例为对照组。用酶联免疫吸附试验法测定窒息组、正常对照组、HIE极期、恢复期患儿血清瘦素I、GF-1I、L-6及TNF-α水平。结果新生儿窒息时血清瘦素I、GF-1I、L-6及TNF-α与正常对照组比较均有显著性差异(P均<0.05);除TNF-α外,其他因子与HIE病情程度无关;重度HIE组极期与恢复期瘦素I、GF-1及IL-6比较有显著性差异(P均<0.05),而TNF-α比较无显著性差异(P均>0.05)。结论血清瘦素I、GF-1I、L-6及TNF-α均参与缺氧缺血性脑损伤;血清瘦素I、GF-1和IL-6可能对重度HIE脑细胞功能恢复有作用。