Monatsschr Kinderh
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Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) is an essential component of mucins, glycoproteins and gangliosides and therefore important for the function of cell membranes, membrane receptors and the normal development of the brain. The capacity of the metabolic pathway for the synthesis of sialic acid from glucose and other carbohydrate sources in preterm infants and term-born neonates is currently unknown. ⋯ Formula-fed infants obtain less than 20% of the amount of sialic acid supplied if breast-fed. A sufficient sialic acid supply may be essential in very-low-birth-weight infants and neonates at risk for the normal development of brain function.