catabolism and decreased extrahepatic protein synthesis. Evidence of this
increased need is found by measurement of urinary nitrogen loses which may be
2 - 3 times higher than the usual 80 mg/kg/day. Protein anabolism requires 100 to
150 non-protein calories for each 1 gram of nitrogen. The nitrogen content of
protein is approximated as protein grams divided by 6.25.
Two commercial preparations of crystalline amino acids are commonly
available. TrophAmine® (10%) includes all essential amino acids except for L-
Cysteine. It contains taurine, which is a conditionally essential amino acid in
growing infants. When TrophAmine® is used, L-Cysteine is added as an
additional component at a dose of 40 mg/gram of protein delivered. Typically,
TrophAmine is used in newborns less than 3 months of age. Travasol® was
designed for adults, but it will meet protein needs of children greater than 3
months. The table below compares the amino acid contents of TrophAmine® and
Travasol®.
TROPHAMINE®
1.6%TRAVASOL®
1.6%
ESSENTIAL AMINO
ACIDS
Isoleucine 131 76
Leucine 224 100
Valine 125 73
Threonine 67 67