Arginine supplementation prevents necrotizing enterocolitis in the premature infant
HJ Amin, SA Zamora, DD McMillan, GH Fick… - The Journal of …, 2002 - Elsevier
HJ Amin, SA Zamora, DD McMillan, GH Fick, JD Butzner, HG Parsons, RB Scott
The Journal of pediatrics, 2002•ElsevierObjectives: To determine whether supplementation with L-arginine reduces the incidence of
all stages of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants with birth weight≤ 1250 g
and gestational age≤ 32 weeks. Study design: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled study, 152 premature infants were prospectively, randomly assigned to receive
either supplemental L-arginine (1.5 mmol/kg per day; n= 75 [group A]) or placebo (control
group; n= 77 [group B]) with oral feeds/parenteral nutrition during the first 28 days of life …
all stages of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants with birth weight≤ 1250 g
and gestational age≤ 32 weeks. Study design: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled study, 152 premature infants were prospectively, randomly assigned to receive
either supplemental L-arginine (1.5 mmol/kg per day; n= 75 [group A]) or placebo (control
group; n= 77 [group B]) with oral feeds/parenteral nutrition during the first 28 days of life …
Objectives
To determine whether supplementation with L-arginine reduces the incidence of all stages of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants with birth weight ≤1250 g and gestational age ≤32 weeks.
Study design
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 152 premature infants were prospectively, randomly assigned to receive either supplemental L-arginine (1.5 mmol/kg per day; n =75 [group A]) or placebo (control group; n = 77 [group B]) with oral feeds/parenteral nutrition during the first 28 days of life. Nutrient intake, plasma ammonia, arginine, and amino acid concentrations were measured in all infants at days 3, 14, and 28 and at the time of diagnosis of NEC.
Results
NEC developed in 5 infants in group A compared with 21 infants in group B (P< .001). Arginine intake and plasma arginine concentrations were similar in both groups at study entry and (as expected) increased in group A at days 14 and 28. Plasma arginine concentrations were lower in both groups at time of diagnosis of NEC. No significant differences in maternal and neonatal demographics, nutrient intake, plasma ammonia and total and essential amino acid concentrations were present between the two groups.
Conclusions
Arginine supplementation (1.5 mmol/kg per day) in premature infants reduces the incidence of all stages of NEC. (J Pediatr 2002;140:425-31)
Elsevier