Serum PCSK9 levels in infants with deviant birth weight: a biomarker of the lipoprotein metabolism.

Objective: Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin-Type 9 (PCSK9), a modulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol metabolism, has been reported to be a promising biomarker for evaluating lipoprotein metabolism; however, evidence in infants is limited. In the current study, we sought to investigate potential differences in serum PCSK9 levels between infants with deviant birth weight and controls.

Methods: We enrolled 82 infants, classified into 33 small (SGA), 32 appropriate (AGA), and 17 large for gestation (LGA) infants.

Effect of milk fat-based infant formulae on stool fatty acid soaps and calcium excretion in healthy term infants: two double-blind randomised cross-over trials.

Background: Palmitic acid (PA) is predominantly esterified at the SN-2 position of triacylglycerols in human milk. PA at the SN-2 position is more efficiently absorbed and results in reduced formation of PA soaps, as well as reduced fatty acid (FA) and calcium malabsorption. Bovine milk fat (MF), a natural source of SN-2-palmitate, was used in the fat blend of infant formulae (IF) in the current study to investigate its effect on stool fatty acid soaps, calcium excretion and stool characteristics.