ABSORPTION OF FAT AND VITAMIN A IN PREMATURE INFANTS

[摘要] Eight premature infants manifesting steatorrhea were placed on diets containing low and high amounts of fat in order to ascertain how economically the premature infant could utilize large amounts of fat. At the same time the effect of administering large amounts of fat on the vitamin A absorption of premature infants was investigated. The results of these studies indicated that in spite of steatorrhea the percentage of fat absorbed was essentially the same whether the diet contained high or low amounts of this food. Thus, the net absorption of fat was correspondingly higher following the use of a high fat diet. The absorption of vitamin A was approximately the same following the low or high fat regimen.The finding that relatively high fat diets given to premature infants not only result in better fat retention but are also well borne clinically suggests that the currently advocated restriction of fat in these subjects is unnecessary and possibly undesirable.

[学科分类] 儿科学