Open AccessDifferences in Circulating Carnitine Status of Preterm Infants Fed Fortified Human Milk or Preterm Infant Formula
Author(s) -
Bene Judit,
Komlósi Katalin,
Melegh Bela I.,
Decsi Tamás,
Koletzko Berthold,
Sauerwald Ulrike
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0b013e31829fad06
Subject(s) - medicine , carnitine , infant formula , obstetrics , physiology , pediatrics , endocrinology
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.