Net absorption of starch in low birth weight infants.

Twelve 3-day metabolic balance studies were carried out in 12 low birth weight infants fed an infant formula providing 3.5 g of corn starch per kilogram body weight per day. The mean coefficients of net absorption were 88 +/- 6% for starch, 70 +/- 14% for fat and 90 +/- 4% for nitrogen. No relationship was found between starch absorption and nitrogen or fat absorption. There was no relationship between starch absorption and the duration of starch feeding. It is concluded that the ability of young infants to digest large quantities of starch is most likely limited resulting from low pancreatic alpha-amylase activity. Nevertheless, from a practical point of view, small amounts of starch in infant formulas can be considered not only as a thickener but also as a source of calories.