title: Differences in circulating carnitine status of preterm infants fed fortified human milk or preterm infant formula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare plasma carnitine profiles in fortified human milk (HM)-fed preterm infants or formula-fed preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma acylcarnitine concentrations were determined in 20 formula-fed and 18 HM-fed preterm infants (birth weights between 1000 and 2200 g) by isotope dilution ESI MS/MS technique on study days 0, 14, and 28.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentrations of free carnitine (FC) and different acylcarnitines did not change during the 4 weeks of the study in infants fed HM. In contrast, in infants fed formula FC increased markedly (day 0: 29.989 [16.646] μmol/L, median [interquartile range], day 14: 43.972 [8.455], P < 0.05) along with increases of short-chain esters (C2 day 0: 5.300 [3.272], day 14: 6.773 [2.127], P < 0.05; C3 day 0: 0.070 [0.059], day 14: 0.110 [0.069], P < 0.05). In contrast, some medium-chain (C8:1, C12) and long-chain esters (C14, C16) decreased significantly in infant formula by day 14, whereas FC and C2 and C3 esters increased further by day 28 (FC: 47.672 [14.753], C2: 7.430 [4.688], C3: 0.107 [0.047]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The altered carnitine ester profile likely reflects active involvement of the carnitine molecule in the buffering, metabolism, and elimination of nonphysiological acyl moieties.
authors.affiliation: *Departments of Medical Genetics †Paediatrics, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary ‡Kinderklinik and Kinderpoliklinik, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bene
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komlósi
authors.forename: Bela I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Melegh
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Decsi
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koletzko
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sauerwald
mesh_terms: D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D002657:Child Development; D004951:Esterification; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: C116917:acylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine