Nucleotides in infant nutrition: a must or an option.

Nucleotides are compounds that play a key role in numerous intracellular biochemical processes. Synthesized de novo by the body utilizing amino acid precursors or salvaged from degraded nucleic acids and nucleotides, they cannot be considered essential nutrients. However, the term semi or conditionally essential nutrients can be applied in certain conditions where the body’s needs are greater than the amounts of nucleotides synthesized or salvaged. Rapid growth, certain disease states, limited nutrient intake or disturbed endogenous synthesis of nucleotides represent such conditions. Nucleotides participate in several biochemical processes that are essential to the function of the living body [1].