Evaluation of a taurine containing amino acid solution in parenteral nutrition

Article Abstract:

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), in which all the nutritional needs are met by infusion of an intravenous solution, is an essential part of treatment for some sick newborns, particularly those with respiratory distress or gastrointestinal disorders. Many TPN solutions, which contain amino acids (building blocks of proteins), have been designed for the particular needs of newborns, but few contain taurine, an amino acid found in high levels in human milk. Taurine is not usually found within the structures of normal human proteins, but is important in liver function, and has recently been discovered to be essential in some illnesses and for immature newborns. Blood levels of taurine and retinal function have been abnormal in patients given long-term parenteral nutrition without taurine, and these conditions normalized when taurine was given. The effect of a taurine-containing parenteral formula, Vaminolact, on 15 sick newborns was evaluated and compared with the effect of a parenteral formula without taurine, given to 10 infants. Blood taurine levels tended to be higher, but not significantly, in infants fed Vaminolact. Significantly more nitrogen was retained, and thus was available for making protein, in infants fed Vaminolact. Weight gain was less than expected in both groups, due to a need to restrict fluids. The study suggests that taurine-containing TPN solutions such as Vaminolact are safe and effective in stable, ill premature babies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Product/Service Evaluation, Food and nutrition, Newborn infants, Parenteral therapy, Taurine, Vaminolact (Dietary supplement)

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Early parenteral feeding of amino acids

Article Abstract:

Amino acid solutions have been designed to overcome metabolic problems such as hyperammonemia and acidosis, which occurred with older protein solutions during intravenous (parenteral) feeding of premature infants. Out of habit or persistent concern, these amino acid solutions are not always given to the infant immediately after birth. For 10 days, nitrogen and energy balance studies were performed on 21 ventilator-dependent premature infants of equivalent weight and gestational age to determine the effect of intravenous administration of amino acids on nitrogen retention and energy uptake. Group E ('early') contained 11 infants who received the amino acid (nitrogen source) solution within 24 hours of birth, while group L ('late') had 10 infants who received the solution 72 hours after birth. The energy intake, and nitrogen intake and retention were increased in group E during in first 72 hours, but differences between the two groups were resolved by 10 days. A reasonable goal in managing premature infants is to mimic nutritional requirements and growth patterns established for fetuses of similar gestational age and to prevent a negative nitrogen balance. In this study, a positive nitrogen balance occurred after giving an amino acid solution within 24 hours of birth and improved the early nutritional condition of the premature infant. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Nutrition, Nutritional assessment, Amino acids

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Mosaic trisomy 16 in a live newborn infant

Article Abstract:

Many disorders affecting children have been traced to genetic defects. Spontaneous abortion often occurs in these cases because the fetus cannot develop normally. Tripling of chromosome 16 (trisomy 16) is reportedly the most common trisomy found in aborted fetuses, and this genetic disorder is thought to be fatal to all fetuses that have it. The case is described of a baby boy born after 39 weeks' gestation who lived for 11 weeks despite having trisomy 16. The baby suffered from muscular, genital, cardiac and craniofacial deformities. In addition, chromosomal analysis established the abnormality in the genetic material. This case study is the first report of identifying trisomy 16 from chromosome analysis (cytogenetic banding) from a live-born infant. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Diseases, Genetic aspects, Chromosome abnormalities, Neonatal diseases, Trisomy

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