Archives of Disease in Childhood, Vol 64, 1472-1477, Copyright © 1989 by Archives of Disease in Childhood.

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Egg and breast milk based nitrogen sources compared

JW Puntis, PA Ball, MA Preece, A Green, GA Brown and IW Booth
Institute of Child Health, University of Birmingham.

A nitrogen source based on egg protein (Vamin 9 glucose) and an alternative with an amino acid profile more similar to breast milk (Vaminolact), were compared in 14 parenterally fed infants. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive one or other amino acid solution, but were otherwise given identical diets. At the start of the study the two groups did not differ significantly in postconceptual age, postnatal age, or weight. Over a six day study period on a stable intake of intravenous nutrients there was no significant difference in growth or nitrogen retention between the two groups. Plasma amino acid profiles in those receiving Vamin 9 glucose, however, were frequently abnormal. Notably, mean concentrations of potentially neurotoxic phenylalanine and tyrosine were significantly higher (140% and 420%, respectively) in patients fed Vamin 9 compared with those given Vaminolact. An amino acid solution based on the composition of breast milk protein therefore brings plasma amino acid profiles during parenteral nutrition closer to those found in breast fed infants, and reduces in particular, the risks of hyperphenylalaninaemia and hypertyrosinaemia.

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