title: Former very preterm infants show alterations in plasma amino acid profiles at a preschool age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amino acid analysis is a valuable tool for cardiovascular risk assessment. Preterm infants display plasma amino acid changes in the newborn period. Whether these changes persist is unknown to date. The aim of this study was to assess whether former very preterm infants (VPI) show alterations in amino acid patterns indicative of an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile at a preschool age.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 5-7 y-old children born at term or <32 wk gestation (VPI) were included in the study. Plasma amino acid concentrations were determined after an overnight fast.
  
  
  RESULTS
  29 former term infants and 79 former VPI were included in the study. Former VPI showed changes in various plasma amino acids including glutamine, arginine, citrulline, tryptophan, glutamate, ornithine, and taurine. Branched-chain amino acids were lower, alanine/lysine ratios significantly higher in the preterm population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Former VPI show altered plasma amino acid profiles indicative of a dualistic cardiovascular risk profile (e.g., potentially beneficial elevations in citrulline, arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan, but also raised alanine/lysine ratios, low ornithine and taurine levels) at a preschool age. Whether this is associated with an adverse cardiovascular outcome has to be addressed by future studies. Long-term cardiometabolic follow-up of VPI might be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Posod
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.|Pediatrics III (Pediatric Cardiology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Irena Odri
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Komazec
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dejaco
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Ulrike Pupp
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Peglow
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Griesmaier
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics I (Inherited Metabolic Disorders), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scholl-Bürgi
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics I (Inherited Metabolic Disorders), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karall
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics II (Neonatology), Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kiechl-Kohlendorfer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D001317:Austria; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D015415:Biomarkers