Lipid supply for infants with special needs.

Dietary lipids are the major energy source for infants and young children. Tissue lipid accretion in growing infants is very high and contributes 90% of all energy deposited in the body during the first 6 months of life. To meet these demands, a relatively high dietary fat intake is desirable for young infants, because the capacity for endogenous fat synthesis appears to be limited and would also require an increased energy intake. For sick infants with malnutrition or fat malabsorption, the physiological advantages of a high intake of metabolisable fat for growth are even greater. Technological advantages have made higher fat contents in therapeutical semielemental diets feasible, which appears to be of significant advantage for some of the recipient infants. With respect to fat quality, particular attention is currently directed at the optimal content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and their long-chain metabolites (LC-PUFA). The results of several studies suggest potential improvements of visual and mural functions in infants receiving dietary preformed LC-PUFA. Further research is required to study in more detail the metabolic effects, functional outcomes and safety of different forms of LC-PUFA supply for infants.