Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and intestinal absorption in the preterm baby according to different sources.

摘要

Absorption of DHA (22:6 n-3) is relevant because of its deposit in the growing brain during intrauterine life via placental transfer and postnatally after dietary supply. DHA supplements at these ages are accompanied by a better visual function and cognitive development in preterm babies but also in terms. Intestinal absorption is adequately functioning because a term baby is absorbing 20 g of triglycerides per day without trouble. Methods: 28 preterm babies were randomly included into three groups: breast milk, formula with DHA form low EPA fish oil and formula with DHA from Martek oil. At around 15 days of life they were balanced for total fat and individual fatty acids (C8-C26, sat/unsat) using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Results: The percentage of AA and DHA absorption were respectively 95.2 and 92.0 % of the intake, significantly higher than the group on formula with LCPUFAs from egg yolk and fish oil (87.0 and 84.1 %) and quite similar to that of the group on formula with Martek oil (94.0 and 84.0 %). Discussion: Because the DHA intake in the last group was higher the net retention was of 13 mg/kg/d higher even than that obtained by the breast milk group. Conclusion: Sources of LCPUFAs for newborn formulas are important owing to the different net retention rates obtained