Are neonates from vegan mothers at risk of taurine deficiency?
May 14, 2023
TMJ Blog 12; uploaded 14 May 2023. Taurine, an organic amino sulphonic acid* (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid; Fig 1), is present in animals but not plants and is thought to have a role in neonatal and infant development, especially of the neurological system.1 Observational data suggest that relative taurine deficiency during the neonatal period is associated with adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.2 Because the placenta and newborn livers lack γ-cystathionase required for taurine synthesis2,3 and immature renal tubular reabsorption causes