Randomised controlled trial of a synthetic triglyceride milk formula for preterm infants
a MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre,
Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street,
London WC1N 1EH, b Unilever Research, Colworth Laboratory, Sharnbrook,
Bedford, c Baylor College of Medicine,
Department of Pediatrics, Houston, Texas, USA, d Regional Neonatal Unit, Liverpool Maternity Hospital,
Liverpool
Correspondence to: Dr A Lucas.
Accepted 16 June
1997
AIMS
To test whether use of infant formula
containing synthetic structured triglycerides results in: (i) increased
palmitate absorption; (ii) increased total fat absorption; (iii)
reduction in calcium soap formation in the gut; and hence (iv)
increased calcium absorption.
METHODSA randomised study was made of 24 infants
comparing three formulas, one containing the synthetic fat Betapol with
74% of palmitate in the 2-position, which was substantially higher
than in the two comparison diets (8.4% and 28%). The hypothesised
outcomes were tested using balance studies, detailed chemical analysis of stool specimens and dual calcium isotope tracers
(44calcium orally and 46calcium intravenously).
RESULTSThree of the four hypotheses were
confirmed: use of a formula rich in 2-position palmitate (i) improved
palmitate (16:0) and also (18:0) absorption; (ii) reduced the formation
of insoluble calcium soaps in the stool; and (iii) improved calcium
absorption, determined by the dual tracer technique from 42 (SE 3)% to
57 (7)%.
CONCLUSIONSynthetic triglycerides that mimic the
stereoisometric structure of those in breast milk may have a valuable
role in the design of formulas used for preterm infants in neonatal
intensive care units.
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© 1997 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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Kennedy, K., Fewtrell, M. S, Morley, R., Abbott, R., Quinlan, P. T, Wells, J. C., Bindels, J. G, Lucas, A.
(1999). Double-blind, randomized trial of a synthetic triacylglycerol in formula-fed term infants: effects on stool biochemistry, stool characteristics, and bone mineralization. Am. J. Clin. Nutr.
70: 920-927
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