METABOLIC NEED OF VITAMINE B12 IN NEWBORNS WITH HIGH SERUM CYSTEINE CONCENTRATIONS ♦ 972

Cysteine (Cys) is a semi-essential aminoacid supplemented in nutritional regimens of neonates. Intracellular accumulation of Cys precursor Homocysteine(Hcys), is potentially cytotoxic (apoptosis). Hcys metabolic pathways(methionine synthase and cystathionine synthase) require either vitamine B12 and folic acid or vitamine B6 as co-substrate. In order to study in vivo the relationship between Cys metabolism and vitamine levels, normal range of total serum Cys, Hcys, Vit.B6, Vit.12 and folic acid in healthy, breast-fed term infants was evaluated.

Method: Using reversed-phase HPLC-analysis, total serum Cys and Hcys were measured in a group of 125 neonates (mean BW 3037g, SD 774 and mean GA 39wks, SD 2.8) in the first week of life. Furthermore Vit.B6, B12 and folic acid concentrations were measured by standard methods.

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