REDUCTION OF HYPERTHREONINEMIA IN PRETERM INFANT FED WHEY PREDOMINANT FORMULA WITHOUT K-CASEIN † 1895

High plasma threonine concentration reported in preterm infants fed whey-predominant and whey-hydrolysate formulas may be related to the high threonine content of the glycomacropeptide fraction of κ-casein present in the soluble fraction of bovine milk protein. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the interest of a whey-predominant formula free ofκ-casein on the plasma and urinary threonine concentrations in preterm infants. Fourtheen healthy preterm infants appropriate for gestational age(BW: 1430±347g; GA: 31±2 wks) were enrolled to receive in a crossover study a conventional (THR = 5.89%) and an experimental (THR⊖= 4.94%) formula for one week each. Pre- and post-prandial plasma AA concentrations and urinary AA excretion were determined at the end of each feeding regimen (in mean ± 28 d and ± 35 d of life).Results shows a significantly lower plasma threonine concentration in preterm infants fed THR⊖ formula. In addition a significant reduction in plasma and urinary threonine concentrations were observed in the infants receiving succesively the THR and THR⊖ formulas. By contrast from THR⊖ to THR, post-prandial plasma threonine increases significantly but the difference in pre-prandial plasma and in urinary AA concentrations were not significantly different. In conclusion, our study suggests that the incidence of hyperthreoninemia may be reduced in preterm infants fed whey predominant formula without glycomacropeptide fraction of κ-casein.Table