Protein metabolism in cystic fibrosisof the pancreas

Metabolic balance studies were performed on 5 infants with cystic fibrosis of thepancreas. One of the subjects had hypoproteinemia and intermittent edema. Large quantities of nitrogen were excreted in the stools when the infants received a soybean formula. This was most marked in the hypoproteinemic patient and was considered to be the pathogenetic explanation of his hypoproteinemia. Nitrogen retention was significantly higher when the infants received an evaporated cow's milk formula. A paracreatic enzyme preparation led to significant increase in nitrogen retention when added to soybean feedings but not when added to evaporated cow's milk feedings. It is recommended that infants with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas should not be fed soybean milk preparations.