Changes in erythrocyte lipid stroma in the premature infant according to dietary fat composition.
Eighteen premature infants of similar gestational age, divided into three groups, were fed 3 milk formulas containing different amounts of linoleic acid. All the cases received 120 calories per kg of weight and day, of which formula A supplied 6.1% of the dietary total calories as linoleic acid, formula B 15.9% and formula C only 0.6%. The fatty acids of red cell ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides were studied in a first sample obtained during the first hours of life before the infants had received any food, and in a second sample taken at the age of three weeks. In the group fed formula C (0.6% of the total calories) changes similar to those described in EFA-deficient rats were found, namely, a decrease of linoleic acid, and an increase of oleic acid and of 20:3 (n-9), with a consequent rise of the triene to tetraene ratio. When the supply of linoleate was highest (15.9% of the total caloric intake) linoleic acid increased, oleic acid decreased and the 20:3 (n-9) practically disappeared. None of the three groups showed any clinical symptoms.
D000818:Animals; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis
D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D008055:Lipids