Intravenous supplementation of l-amino acids and dextrose in low-birth-weight infants

The effect of intravenous 3.4 per cent l-amino acid and 10 per cent dextrose supplementation on mortality rate, weight gain, and biochemical blood values was examined in 54 low-birth-weight newborn infants. At 24 to 48 hours of age, the infants were assigned according to birth weight to Group I (701 to 1,000 Gm.), Group II (1,001 to 1,250 Gm.), or Group III (1,251 to 1,500 Gm.). Each group was subdivided randomly into amino acid-treated infants (A) and control subjects (C). There was no significant difference in the case fatality rates between infants in Subgroups A and C. Serial determinations of serum electrolytes, CO₂ combining power, and hematocrit were similar in Groups A and C. Serial blood urea nitrogen concentrations in Group A infants were significantly higher than those in Group C infants. Plasma amino acids showed undue elevations in methionine and glycine concentrations in some of the infants who received supplemental amino acids. At 21 days, a significantly greater increase in weight was observed in Group IIA (178±26 Gm.) compared to Group IIC (54±51 Gm.). Similarly, weight increase in Group IIIA (206±27 Gm.) was significantly greater than that in Group IIIC (58±24 Gm.). Infants in Groups IIA and IIC reached a discharge weight of 2,041 Gm. at 45±11 days and 55±9 days, respectively. Infants in Group IIIA reached the discharge weight significantly earlier than those in Group IIIC (41±1 and 49±2 days, respectively).