Taurine requirements in premature infants and development

Objective: To review the taurine requirements of premature infants and the developmental rationale for supplementation in early life. The review synthesizes evidence from nutrition studies, infant formula composition, neonatal physiology, and outcomes related to growth and neurodevelopment. Premature infants may have reduced endogenous taurine synthesis and limited placental transfer, increasing reliance on dietary supply during a period of rapid retinal, neurologic, and metabolic development. Observational and interventional data suggest that inadequate taurine exposure can affect bile acid conjugation, fat absorption, and markers of maturation, although the clinical magnitude varies by feeding regimen and gestational age. The review also highlights that taurine-enriched nutritional support has generally been well tolerated in neonatal settings. While direct long-term developmental endpoints remain incompletely characterized, the weight of evidence supports considering taurine as conditionally essential in very early life, particularly for infants born preterm or with limited enteral nutrition.