Free fatty acids, glycerol and triglycerides during the first 24 hours in infants with a birth weight less than or equal to 2700 grams.

The influence of birth weight and gestational age on the concentrations of free fatty acids, glycerol and triglycerides during the first 24 hours of life were studied in 86 healthy newborn infants with BW less than or equal to 2700 g. Very low FFA values were found in the first 6 hours in infants with GA less than or equal to 34 weeks, whereas FFA increased from the second hour in infants with higher GA. All infants had peak values at 12 h. Significant correlations were found between FFA and GA, most pronounced in the second hour after birth. No differences were seen between AGA and SGA infants of similar GA. High glycerol concentrations were found from the second hour in all infants irrespective of GA and BW. Triglyceride concentrations 24 hours after birth were not influenced by GA or BW. Triglyceride concentrations 24 hours after birth were not influenced by GA or BW. The finding of intact lipolysis but low FFA releases in the first hours in infants with GA less than or equal to 34 weeks could not be explained by differences in rectal temperature, blood glucose or caloric intake.