title: Fat absorption in premature infants: the effect of lard and antibiotics.
abstract: Fat absorption of an adapted cow's milk formula was studied in a randomized controlled trial involving two groups of 18 premature infants (mean gestational age +/- SD: 33.0 +/- 2.9 weeks, range 26.5-37.5 weeks). The triglyceride configuration was modified by the use of lard. This modification did not improve the absorption of fat or energy. Also no difference in serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides was found. Growth velocity during the study was similar in both groups. Detailed analysis of the data revealed that in infants who received (parenterally) antibiotics (mainly ampicillin and netilmicin) a higher coefficient of fat absorption (+20%, P less than 0.01) and of energy absorption (+8%, P = 0.03) was found. Based on these results, we find no support for the use of lard in adapted cow's milk infant formulas to improve fat absorption. In studies of fat and energy absorption the effects of antibiotics have to be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Verkade
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: van Asselt
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vonk
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bijleveld
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fidler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okken
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; C029310:lard