How Preterm Babies’ Food Source Affects Their Fatty Acid Levels
This study looked at 49 premature babies (born between 23 and 37 weeks) to see how different feeding sources affected their essential fatty acid levels. Researchers compared babies fed maternal breast milk, donor breast milk, infant formula, or intravenous (IV) nutrition containing a mix of soybean, MCT, olive, and fish oils.
To measure fatty acid status, they used the Holman index, a ratio that reflects whether the body has enough essential fatty acids like arachidonic acid. A higher ratio can signal a deficiency.
Babies fed donor breast milk tended to have higher Holman index values than those fed maternal milk or formula, though most stayed below the threshold considered deficient. Six infants overall showed signs of a biochemical essential fatty acid deficiency: three who received donor breast milk and three who received the IV fat emulsion at a specific dose (3 g/kg).
What this means for you
For parents and clinicians, this research suggests that the source of fat in a preterm infant’s diet, whether from milk or IV nutrition, may subtly influence their fatty acid balance, even if it doesn’t always reach a clinically deficient level. It highlights an area where more research is needed to understand whether these smaller changes matter for a baby’s health and development.
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JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition · 2026-09-27 · DOI: 10.1002/jpen.70147
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.