Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants

Thirty-three premature infants receiving parenteral nutrition during the first 5 days of life were divided into three groups. Infants in group I (n = 13) received no ventilatory therapy. Those in groups II (n = 10) and III (n = 10) were intubated and artificially ventilated because of hyaline membrane disease, apnea, or other illness. All infants received glucose, amino acids, fat emulsion, and electrolytes in their total parenteral nutrition regimen. Groups I and II were administered a transfer-adapted amino acid solution (Aminoplasmal paed 5%) for their protein supplementation, and group III, a so-called human milk-adapted solution (Aminovenos 6%). The three groups were compared with respect to amino acid blood level, amino acid excretion, and nitrogen balance. Taurine levels decreased significantly during parenteral nutrition in all three groups. The other amino acids, with a few exceptions, remained within acceptable range. Elevations of serine, proline, and methionine were found in group III after the third day. All three groups exhibited good nitrogen retention. Excretion of amino acids was only about 1%.