Dietary lipids derived from plants and animals are essential nutrients for growth and development. They provide energy, essential substrates, and bioactive molecules that control tissue and bodily functions. Lipids are the major component of biological membranes and play a very important role in cell signaling.

An infant weighing 1000gms can only store 20g of fats in their body. Most dietary fats are provided as triglycerols, whose metabolized by-products are characterized by their fatty acid composition. The small amount of fat in a preterm infant’s system is completely metabolized for the formation of the cell membrane during the cell growth and multiplication. Thus, the limited supply of lipids cannot be used for postnatal supply.

The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid such as arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid are essential substrates to be artificially provided as their rate of growth is more than the rate of synthesis from available precursors. Complex lipids are just a small part of dietary needs but they are necessary for immune and brain functions. Therefore, fulfilling the requirement of dietary lipids in preterm and extremely preterm infants is an important step in ensuring an all-round development and growth of the body.

Koletzko B et al., World Rev Nutr Diet. 2021;122:89-102. doi:10.1159/000514749.