Blood myo -inositol concentrations in preterm and term infants

Objective To describe relationship between cord blood (representing fetal) myo -inositol concentrations and gestational age (GA) and to determine trends of blood concentrations in enterally and parenterally fed infants from birth to 70 days of age. Design/Methods Samples were collected in 281 fed or unfed infants born in 2005 and 2006. Myo -inositol concentrations were displayed in scatter plots and analyzed with linear regression models of natural log-transformed values. Results In 441 samples obtained from 281 infants, myo -inositol concentrations varied from nondetectable to 1494 μmol/L. Cord myo -inositol concentrations decreased an estimated 11.9% per week increase in GA. Postnatal myo -inositol concentrations decreased an estimated 14.3% per week increase in postmenstrual age (PMA) and were higher for enterally fed infants compared to unfed infants (51% increase for fed vs. unfed infants). Conclusions Fetal myo -inositol concentrations decreased with increasing GA. Postnatal concentrations decreased with increasing PMA and were higher among enterally fed than unfed infants.