Protein In Neonatal & Infant Nutrition

Protein requirements are higher in neonatal & infant periods than adults. Proteins are the combination of all amino acids. Some of these amino acids are produced in our body and some of these come from foods. The amino acids which are not produced in our body and come from foods are called “essential” amino acids. And the amino acids which are available in our body are called “non-essential” amino acids.

An infant requires a high amount of good quality protein or high biological value protein. Protein helps to build and maintain body tissues including tissues of skin, eyes, muscles, heart, lungs, brain and other organs. It also helps to produce important enzymes, hormones, antibodies etc.

Source:

• Breast milk & infant formula initially provide sufficient amount of protein. Breast milk provides all amino acids more than the required amount needed for proper growth. Like breast milk contains a high amount of sulfur contains amino acids, cysteine, methionine ratio is high & this compensates for low cysteine methionine conversion which is essential for central nervous system development. Taurine is an amino acid which is present more amount in breast milk is important neurotransmitter & neuromodulator for brain & retina.
• Then in later infancy add meat, fish, egg, yogurt, legumes, cereals etc. along with breast milk and infant formula.

Deficiency of protein leads to protein energy malnutrition like kwashiorkor (deficiency of protein), marasmus (deficiency of calorie), marasmus kwashiorkor (deficiency of calorie and protein).

Protein intake of healthy infants should be 2g / kg body weight.  Preterm babies require 3-4 g of protein  per kilogram of body weight for rapid growth. Protein content in breast milk is 1.1g / 100ml. The Protein content of cow’s milk is three times more than human milk, but it is biochemically different and less digestible. The amount of protein available in breast milk is sufficient for first 6 months of new-born babies.

Protein requirement per kg body weight decreases gradually during the first 12 months as do energy requirements.

Consumption of excess protein is also very harmful as it needs to be deaminated. Infant & neonate have able to concentrate very few amounts of waste metabolites such as urea in the urine. Excretion of more wastes requires more amount of water. If the necessary amount of water is not available, urea will accumulate, and infant will suffer from protein edema.

So adequate amount of protein requirement in neonate and infant are more important for growth and development of their brain and body.