Feeding preterm infants a formula containing C20 and C22 fatty acids simulates plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition of infants fed human milk.

Thirty-four premature infants weighing less than 1500 grams at birth were fed preterm formula (formula), preterm infant formula manufactured to contain a balance of C20 and C22 omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids within the range characteristic of human milk (LCPE-formula) or their mothers' expressed breast milk (EBM). Blood samples were obtained during the first week of life and after 28 days of feeding to determine the effect of feeding C20 and C22 omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids on plasma lipids. Fatty acid analyses of red blood cell phospholipids indicated few differences between dietary treatment and age. Fatty acid content of plasma cholesterol esters indicated a high plasma cholesterol linoleate level for infants fed formula and a reduced content of C20 and C22 omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. For infants fed the modified formula (LCPE-formula) the levels of 20:4 omega 6, 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 were higher than observed for the formula group and similar to those observed for infants fed EBM. By the fifth week of life, feeding the modified formula resulted in plasma phospholipid levels of C20 and C22 omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids similar to levels of C20 and C22 omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids found in infants fed EBM and significantly higher than levels characteristic of infants fed formula. It is concluded that infants fed LCPE-formula illustrate an overall balance between C20 and C22 omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids in the plasma similar to that characteristic of infants fed human milk.