title: Plasma amino acid ratio as an index of hepatocellular maturity in the neonate.
abstract: A preprandial plasma amino acid molar ratio [(isoleucine + leucine + valine)/(tyrosine + phenylalanine)] has been studied in 33 neonates of mean gestation approximately 34 weeks. 19 infants were fed a formula containing 2.5 protein/dl with a high casein content (group 1), whilst 14 received milk of 1.8 g protein/dl largely derived from whey. Although total amino acid levels were significantly higher in group 1 (p less than 0.001), the amino acid molar ratio was similar in each group. This ratio correlated directly with gestational age (r = +0.76; p less than 0.001) which, on multiple regression analysis, accounted for 57% of its variability. The effects upon the ratio of infant's sex, cholestasis, and hepatic enzyme induction are also discussed.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007532:Isoleucine / Q000097:blood; D007930:Leucine / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000097:blood; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000097:blood; D014633:Valine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D007532:Isoleucine; D014443:Tyrosine; D010649:Phenylalanine; D007930:Leucine; D014633:Valine