Are brain metabolite concentrations associated with illness severity scores and white matter abnormalities in very preterm infants?
Both overall health status at birth and white matter injury in preterm neonates are reflected in metabolite ratios measured shortly after birth. Long-term follow-up will provide additional insight into the prognostic value of these measures.
The current recommended parenteral amino acid intakes are insufficient to maintain protein balance in insulin-resistant patients during tight glucose control. During sepsis, insulin decreases protein synthesis and breakdown, and while high amino acid intake improves protein balance, its beneficial effects may be offset by enhanced endogenous glucose production and lipolysis, raising concerns that insulin resistance may have been exacerbated and that gluconeogenesis may have been favored by high amino acid intakes. Dose-response studies on the effect of the level of amino acid intakes (protein) on energy metabolism are needed.