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Fat absorption in preterm infants fed a taurine-enriched formula

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Abstract

An adapted cow's milk infant formula without or with extra taurine (350 μmol/l) was fed to four and five infants, respectively. The infants, born after 28–32 weeks gestation, and initially fed with a starting formula for preterms, were switched to one of the two above-mentioned formulae at approximately the 16th day of life. Each infant was studied during 4 consecutive weeks.

The faecal excretion of fat, energy and total bile acids was determined from 3-day stool collections each week.

The addition of taurine to the infant formula neither improved the uptake of fat and energy nor changed the faecal bile acid excretion. Growth velocity was similar in both groups of infants.

Based on these results there is no rationale for adding taurine to adapted cow's milk infant formula to obtain a better fat absorption.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Groningen, Oostersingel 59, NL-9713 EZ, Groningen, The Netherlands

    C. M. A. Bijleveld, R. J. Vonk, A. Okken & J. Fernandes

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  1. C. M. A. Bijleveld
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  2. R. J. Vonk
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  3. A. Okken
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  4. J. Fernandes
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Bijleveld, C.M.A., Vonk, R.J., Okken, A. et al. Fat absorption in preterm infants fed a taurine-enriched formula. Eur J Pediatr 146, 128–130 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343216

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02343216

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