Protein Requirement of the Premature Infant

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Abstract
Analyses of the free amino acid content of the plasma and erythrocytes were carried out in two groups of premature infants who were given 2 and 9 g protein/kg per day. Both groups gained weight normally and were in good health. There was a depression of the plasma lysine level and an elevation of the glycine level on the low protein diet. On the high protein diet there was an increase in the levels of proline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, methionine, and the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine). However, the glycine level was depressed. The red blood cell content of amino acids paralleled the plasma so that red blood cell plasma ratio tended to remain constant regardless of the variation in protein intake.