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In vivo measurements of glucose absorption in preterm infants

R J Shulman1

  • 1USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex. 77030, USA. rschulman@bcm.tmc.edu

Biology of the Neonate
|June 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Glucose absorption in preterm infants changes with age, diet, and infusion method. Higher infusion rates enhance glucose absorption more than higher concentrations, impacting infant feeding strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Absorption
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Limited data exist on glucose absorption kinetics in preterm infants.
  • Understanding these kinetics is crucial for optimizing nutritional support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine jejunal glucose absorption kinetics in preterm infants.
  • To investigate the effects of glucose infusion rate and concentration on absorption.
  • To explore the influence of postnatal age, diet, and antenatal glucocorticoids.

Main Methods:

  • Jejunal glucose absorption was measured in preterm infants using varying glucose concentrations (1, 10, 100 mM).
  • Infusion rates and concentrations were manipulated (e.g., 67 mM at 1.5 ml/min vs. 133 mM at 0.75 ml/min) to assess their impact.
  • Kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax) were analyzed in relation to postnatal age, diet (human milk intake), and antenatal glucocorticoid exposure.

Main Results:

  • Glucose absorption kinetics (Km and Vmax) were found to be age-dependent.
  • Higher glucose absorption rates were observed with higher infusion rates compared to higher glucose concentrations.
  • Inverse correlation between Km and human milk intake; potential increase in Vmax with antenatal glucocorticoids.

Conclusions:

  • Glucose absorption characteristics in preterm infants are dynamic and influenced by multiple factors.
  • Factors affecting absorption include postnatal age, dietary composition (human milk), antenatal treatments (glucocorticoids), and infusion methodology.
  • Findings have significant implications for developing tailored feeding protocols for preterm neonates.
Abstract

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