Carnitine and the premature.
After birth, the main energy fuel for the newborn is constituted by fat. Carnitine is necessary for the beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids at the mitochondrial level, and seems also to have a role in the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids, in ammonia detoxification, and in urea production. Colostrum is particularly rich in carnitine whereas semi-elemental formulae and soy-based formulae contain little or no carnitine. Since the newborn has a low capacity for carnitine biosynthesis, it seems useful to administer L-carnitine to infants on total parenteral nutrition, soy-based or semi-elemental formulae.
Rubaltelli
F F
FF
Department of Pediatrics, University of Padova, Italy.
Orzali
A
A
Rinaldo
P
P
Donzelli
F
F
Carnielli
V
V
D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000652:urine; D002331:Carnitine / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000032:analysis
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D002331:Carnitine