Abstract
Biotin is a water soluble vitamin that is a cofactor for carboxylases in fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, and amino acids metabolism. Biotin deficiency is very rare in humans since biotin is widely contained in various foods. However, biotin deficiency has been reported in infants using "infant formulas" made in Japan. Biotin deficiency is especially developed in infants with special formulas, high-calorie infusion with low biotin contents and anticonvulsants. Biotin deficiency is sometimes shown in infant patients with milk allergies caused by amino acid formula with low biotin contents. In this article, we reviewed the biotin deficiency induced by special formulas in Japanese infants. From previous reports, the biotin content in Japanese formulas is lower than the recommended dietary amount of FAO/WHO (1.5 μg/100kcal) and that of United States products. Urinary biotin concentration in formula-fed infants is lower than breast-fed infants, because biotin contents in Japanese formulas are much less. From these findings, biotin should be added to Japanese infant formulas as soon as possible, and it is necessary to make clinical staffs, such as dietitians and pediatricians, and neonatal intensive care unit staffs recognize that the biotin contents in special formula are not enough for maintaining the nutritional status of biotin.
