A MULTI-INGREDIENT DIETARY SUPPLEMENT TO IMPROVE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE INFANTS: CONCEPT-TESTING USING NEWBORN PIGS

Approximately 10% of all neonates are born small for gestational age (SGA) and current feeding approaches increase adiposity and the risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. This study determined if supplementing formula with a combination of leucine, medium chain triglyceride oil, and krill oil would promote gain of lean body mass using newborn SGA term pigs as a model for SGA infants. At birth, SGA pigs have relatively smaller livers and spleens (g/kg) than appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pigs and have higher serum values for alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Newborn SGA pigs were randomly assigned to experimental and placebo groups and fed formula with and without the supplement for 20 days. Placebo pigs tended to have greater body weight (p\u3c0.0734) due to significantly higher fat mass (p\u3c0.02) and percent fat (p\u3c0.05), and larger livers. The present findings validate the concept an experimental supplement can improve body composition of SGA term pigs and may decrease the risk of SGA neonates developing obesity and metabolic abnormalities