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Sasenick J, Miller M, Rastogi D, Morrissey M, Rastogi S. Carnitine supplementation increases serum concentrations of free carnitine and total acylcarnitine in preterm neonates: A retrospective cohort study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2023; 47:746-753. [PMID: 37345267 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.2535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our goal was to determine the efficacy of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition's recommended carnitine dosage of 5 mg/kg/day in maintaining normal serum free carnitine and total acylcarnitine levels in preterm neonates receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study was conducted on neonates born <30 weeks gestation and weighing <1250 g, comparing those who received carnitine supplementation to those without supplementation. Free carnitine and total acylcarnitine data were collected from routine newborn screens in the first days of life and on full enetral feeds. Univariate analysis was performed, and those factors that were significantly different between the two groups were adjusted for using mixed effects analysis. RESULTS There were 108 supplemented and 45 unsupplemented neonates in the study. At baseline, free carnitine (19.8 ± 3.3 vs 18.9 ± 3.7 µmol/L, P = 0.53) and total acylcarnitine (26.6 ± 5.1 vs 22.5 ± 7.1 µmol/L, P = 0.11) were similar between the two groups. At full enteral feeds, compared with unsupplemented group, supplemented infants had significantly higher free carnitine (27.1 ± 16.4 vs 17.1 ± 8.5 µmol/L, P < 0.001) and total acylcarnitine (30.3 ± 11.5 vs 20.2 ± 10.1 µmol/L, P < 0.001). None of the supplemented neonates developed biochemical carnitine deficiency as compared with 18% in the unsupplemented group (P < 0.001). No difference was observed in time to reach full lipid provision, and there were no differences in the change in the triglyceride levels from baseline to the time on full PN lipid provision (P = 0.39). CONCLUSION Preterm neonates routinely supplemented with parenteral carnitine at 5 mg/kg/day demonstrated higher free carnitine and total acylcarnitine levels at full feeds, with none developing biochemical carnitine deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Sasenick
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Northwell Health and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA
| | - Malki Miller
- Department of Nutrition, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Deepa Rastogi
- Children's National Hospital, GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Mark Morrissey
- Wadsworth Laboratories, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Shantanu Rastogi
- George Washington University Hospital, Children's National Hospital, GWU School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Clark MA, Stein REK, Silver EJ, Khalid S, Fuloria M, Esteban-Cruciani NV. Carnitine deficiency in preterm infants: A national survey of knowledge and practices. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2018; 10:381-386. [PMID: 29286927 DOI: 10.3233/npm-16146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lipid supplementation improves developmental outcomes in preterm infants. Carnitine is essential for lipid metabolism; however, despite high risk for carnitine deficiency, there are no standards for carnitine supplementation in preterm infants receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Our objective was to assess knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding preterm carnitine deficiency and supplementation among neonatal practitioners. METHODS Cross-sectional electronic survey administered via a nationally representative listserv of neonatal practitioners. RESULTS 492 respondents participated in the survey. Only 21% of respondents were aware that carnitine is secreted by the placenta. 72% believed that carnitine deficiency was common, and 60% believed deficiency could have serious consequences. Five percent routinely screened for deficiency, and 40% routinely provided carnitine supplementation. Respondents with >5 years' experience were more likely to report using carnitine supplementation (50% vs. 38%). CONCLUSIONS Although most respondents believed that carnitine deficiency is common and could have serious consequences, few screened for deficiency and fewer than half routinely supplemented. Thus, many preterm infants remain at risk for carnitine deficiency. Further research is needed to elucidate the risks of carnitine deficiency in these vulnerable infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Clark
- UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - R E K Stein
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ellen J Silver
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sabeen Khalid
- Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - M Fuloria
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - N V Esteban-Cruciani
- Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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Abstract
Carnitine is synthesized endogenously from methionine and lysine in the liver and kidney and is available exogenously from a meat and dairy diet and from human milk and most enteral formulas. Parenteral nutrition (PN) does not contain carnitine unless it is extemporaneously added. The primary role of carnitine is to transport long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, where they undergo beta-oxidation to produce energy. Although the majority of patients are capable of endogenous synthesis of carnitine, certain pediatric populations, specifically neonates and infants, have decreased biosynthetic capacity and are at risk of developing carnitine deficiency, particularly when receiving PN. Studies have evaluated for several decades the effects of carnitine supplementation in pediatric patients receiving nutrition support. Early studies focused primarily on the effects of supplementation on markers of fatty acid metabolism and nutrition markers, including weight gain and nitrogen balance, whereas more recent studies have evaluated neonatal morbidity. This review describes the role of carnitine in metabolic processes, its biosynthesis, and carnitine deficiency syndromes, as well as reviews the literature on carnitine supplementation in pediatric nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Crill
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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Carnitine deficiency in OCTN2-/- newborn mice leads to a severe gut and immune phenotype with widespread atrophy, apoptosis and a pro-inflammatory response. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47729. [PMID: 23112839 PMCID: PMC3480427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We have investigated the gross, microscopic and molecular effects of carnitine deficiency in the neonatal gut using a mouse model with a loss-of-function mutation in the OCTN2 (SLC22A5) carnitine transporter. The tissue carnitine content of neonatal homozygous (OCTN2−/−) mouse small intestine was markedly reduced; the intestine displayed signs of stunted villous growth, early signs of inflammation, lymphocytic and macrophage infiltration and villous structure breakdown. Mitochondrial β-oxidation was active throughout the GI tract in wild type newborn mice as seen by expression of 6 key enzymes involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids and genes for these 6 enzymes were up-regulated in OCTN2−/− mice. There was increased apoptosis in gut samples from OCTN2−/− mice. OCTN2−/− mice developed a severe immune phenotype, where the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes became atrophied secondary to increased apoptosis. Carnitine deficiency led to increased expression of CD45-B220+ lymphocytes with increased production of basal and anti-CD3-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines in immune cells. Real-time PCR array analysis in OCTN2−/− mouse gut epithelium demonstrated down-regulation of TGF-β/BMP pathway genes. We conclude that carnitine plays a major role in neonatal OCTN2−/− mouse gut development and differentiation, and that severe carnitine deficiency leads to increased apoptosis of enterocytes, villous atrophy, inflammation and gut injury.
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Pande S, Brion LP, Campbell DE, Gayle Y, Esteban-Cruciani NV. Lack of effect of L-carnitine supplementation on weight gain in very preterm infants. J Perinatol 2005; 25:470-7. [PMID: 15858602 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jp.7211334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Carnitine transfer across the placenta occurs predominantly during the third trimester. Unless L-carnitine is provided, very preterm infants develop carnitine deficiency. Although breast milk and infant formulas contain L-carnitine, parenteral nutrition solutions do not routinely provide L-carnitine. We hypothesized that prolonged L-carnitine supplementation in very preterm infants would improve weight gain and shorten length of stay in the hospital. STUDY DESIGN The study was a double-blind parallel placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Eligible patients were <29 weeks of gestation, <72 hours of age, and did not have a potentially life-threatening congenital malformation or hereditary metabolic disorder. Patients were stratified by gestational age (23 to 25(6/7) and 26 to 28(6/7) weeks), and randomized to receive, either L-carnitine at a dose of 50 mumol/kg/day, or placebo. Carnitine was provided intravenously until the infants tolerated 16 ml/day of feeds. The sample size was calculated to have 80% power to detect a 10% increase in weight gain from birth until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge from the hospital. Secondary outcome variables included food efficiency (defined as weight gain divided by caloric intake), weight gain at 4 weeks of age, time to regain birth weight and length of stay. RESULTS Among the 63 infants enrolled in the trial, 32 were randomized to L-carnitine and 31 to placebo. L-Carnitine supplementation did not significantly affect average daily weight gain from birth until 36 weeks or hospital discharge, or any of the secondary outcome variables. CONCLUSION Prolonged supplementation of L-carnitine did not improve long-term weight gain in very preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumati Pande
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Apnea of prematurity is a common problem in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care setting (NICU), often delaying their discharge home or transfer to a step down unit. Premature infants are at increased risk of carnitine deficiency. Carnitine supplementation has been used for both prevention and treatment of apnea. OBJECTIVES To determine whether treatment with carnitine will reduce the frequency of apnea, the duration of ventilation and the duration of hospital stay in preterm infants with recurrent apnea. SEARCH STRATEGY Computerised searches were carried out by two reviewers independently. Searches were made of MEDLINE (1966 to May 2004), EMBASE (1980 to May 2004), CINAHL (1982-2004 June 2004,1st week), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004), abstracts of annual meetings of the Society for Pediatric Research (1995-2004), and contacts were made with the subject experts. SELECTION CRITERIA Only randomized or quasi-randomized treatment trials of preterm infants with a diagnosis of recurrent apnea of prematurity were considered. Trials were included if they involved treatment with carnitine compared to placebo or no treatment, and measured at least one of the following outcomes: failure of resolution of apneas, the duration of ventilation and the duration of hospital stay. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers evaluated the papers for inclusion criteria and quality. Corresponding authors were contacted for further information where needed. MAIN RESULTS No eligible trials were identified. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS Despite the plausible rationale for the treatment of apnea of prematurity with carnitine, there are insufficient data to support its use for this indication. Further studies are needed to determine the role of this treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, L8S 3Z5, Ontario, Canada.
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Whitfield J, Smith T, Sollohub H, Sweetman L, Roe CR. Clinical effects of L-carnitine supplementation on apnea and growth in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics 2003; 111:477-82. [PMID: 12612224 DOI: 10.1542/peds.111.3.477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic carnitine deficiency may present with apnea, hypotonia, and poor growth. Premature infants often manifest these symptoms and are at risk of developing carnitine deficiency because of immaturity of the biosynthetic pathway, lack of sufficient predelivery transplacental transport, and lack of sufficient exogenous supplementation. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of carnitine supplementation in premature infants. METHODS Eighty preterm infants <1500 g were enrolled in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of carnitine supplementation within 96 hours of delivery. Growth, length of hospital stay, and frequency and severity of apnea were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS Weight gain and change in length, fronto-occipital head circumference, mid arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were similar between the carnitine-supplemented and placebo groups. The amount and severity of apnea and the overall length of hospitalization were also similar between the 2 groups. The carnitine levels in the supplemented group were significantly higher than in the placebo group at 4 and 8 weeks after study entry. CONCLUSION Although preterm infants <1500 g have low carnitine levels, routine supplementation with carnitine has no demonstrable effect on growth, apnea, or length of hospitalization and thus seems to be unnecessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Whitfield
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA.
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Guidelines for the use of parenteral and enteral nutrition in adult and pediatric patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2002. [PMID: 11841046 DOI: 10.1177/0148607102026001011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 468] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Carnitine, a quaternary amino acid, plays an important role in the oxidation of long chain fatty acids. Both breast milk and infant formulas contain carnitine. However, it is not routinely provided in parenteral nutrition solutions. Non supplemented parenterally fed infants have very low tissue carnitine levels. The clinical significance of this is uncertain. Carnitine deficiency may be an etiological factor in the limited ability of premature babies to utilize parenteral lipid. In vitro studies have suggested that fatty acid oxidation is impaired when the tissue carnitine levels fall below 10% of normal. Therefore relative carnitine deficiency may impair fatty acid oxidation, thus reducing the available energy and impairing growth. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this review is to determine whether carnitine supplementation of parenterally fed neonates will improve weight gain. The secondary aims are to determine the effect on lipid tolerance and ketogenesis. SEARCH STRATEGY Computerised searches were carried out by both reviewers. Searches were made of Medline, Embase, The National Research Register (UK), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and expert informants. The MeSH headings used were carnitine and parenteral nutrition. SELECTION CRITERIA Only randomised trials were considered. Trials were included if they involved carnitine supplementation alone, parenterally fed newborn infants, and measured at least one outcome of interest (weight gain, plasma fatty acids, plasma triglycerides, quantity of lipid tolerated, respiratory quotient or beta hydroxybutyrate levels). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The two reviewers searched the literature separately and reached a consensus for inclusion of trials. Data were extracted and evaluated by the two reviewers independently of each other. Authors were contacted if possible to clarify or provide missing data. MAIN RESULTS Fourteen studies were identified, six met the selection criteria. The results of the review are limited by the fact that the studies were generally short term and studied different outcomes. One study examined short term and long term weight gain, three reported only short term weight gain, three reported biochemical results in response to a short lipid challenge, and two reported results obtained during normal parenteral nutrition. Among infants supplemented with carnitine, there was no evidence of effect on weight gain, lipid utilization or ketogenesis. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence to support the routine supplementation of parenterally fed neonates with carnitine.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Cairns
- Department of Child Health, St Michaels Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, UK, BS2 8EG.
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Kajetanowicz A, Stinson D, Laybolt KS, Resch L. Lipid-laden macrophages in the tracheal aspirate of ventilated neonates receiving Intralipid: A pilot study. Pediatr Pulmonol 1999; 28:101-8. [PMID: 10423309 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0496(199908)28:2<101::aid-ppul5>3.0.co;2-g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Lipid-laden macrophages (LLM) in tracheal aspirates are reported to be pathognomonic findings in exo- and endogenous lipoid pneumonia in adults. A pilot study was carried out to evaluate the effect of lipid infusion on the LLM index of the tracheal aspirates from ventilated neonates. All intubated infants were eligible for the study. Infants receiving parenteral nutrition had intravenous (IV) lipid introduced by 4-7 days of age; most samples after 7 days were from infants receiving IV lipid. Four infants received minimal gastric feeding; none had evidence of aspiration pneumonia. Tracheal aspirates from 28 infants were analyzed for the LLM index. Alveolar macrophages were graded 0-4 in direct relation to the amount of lipid per cell. One hundred macrophages were graded; the maximum possible LLM index was 400. Two hundred forty-five of 387 tracheal aspirate samples were acceptable for analysis. LLM indices increased during the first week after birth; the mean LLM index then continued in the same range, but with a wide distribution of individual values. The mean LLM index from infants receiving an IV lipid infusion during days 4-7 was 87.9 (SD = 44.8), and was significantly higher compared to 58.7 (SD = 40.8) in infants receiving no IV lipid (P < 0. 003). Tracheal aspirates from infants with and without IV lipid infusion yielded many LLM index values >100. These observations invalidate the use of the LLM index >100 as proof of aspiration pneumonia in this group of infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kajetanowicz
- Department of Neonatal Pediatrics, I.W.K. Grace Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Magnusson G, Boberg M, Cederblad G, Meurling S. Plasma and tissue levels of lipids, fatty acids and plasma carnitine in neonates receiving a new fat emulsion. Acta Paediatr 1997; 86:638-44. [PMID: 9202801 DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1997.tb08948.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to compare Intralipid with a new fat emulsion containing gamma-linolenic acid and carnitine, named Pediatric Fat Emulsion 4501, in neonates with regard to lipid and carnitine metabolism over a short period of total parenteral nutrition. There were 10 neonates in each group and they tolerated the total parenteral nutrition well. In spite of the gamma-linolenic acid supplementation in the new emulsion, arachidonic acid decreased significantly in plasma lipid esters and adipose tissue in both groups after 5 d of treatment. Also, there was a decrease in plasma docosahexaenoic acid which was more pronounced in the treatment group. The relative percentage values of linoleic and linolenic acids in adipose tissue were increased, indicating that newborns have a rapid accretion of fatty acids. Plasma-triglycerides were effectively cleared during the periods without fat infusion. In the group that received Pediatric Fat Emulsion 4501 the means of both free and total plasma carnitine concentrations increased significantly, whereas they tended to decrease in the Intralipid group.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Magnusson
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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Abstract
The liver is a central organ for carnitine metabolism and for the distribution of carnitine to the body. It is therefore not surprising that carnitine metabolism is impaired in patients and experimental animals with certain types of chronic liver disease. In this review, the changes in carnitine metabolism associated with chronic liver disease and the role of carnitine as a therapeutic agent in some of these conditions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Krähenbühl
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Walter
- Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury
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