Serum gastrin level in early childhood

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Neonatology

Background:

• Serum gastrin plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal function.
• Understanding gastrin regulation in early life is essential for pediatric health.
• Previous studies have not fully elucidated gastrin dynamics in newborns and infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure serum gastrin concentrations in newborns and infants.
• To investigate the effect of food stimulation on serum gastrin levels.
• To compare gastrin levels in infants with and without gastrointestinal disorders.

Main Methods:

• Serum gastrin levels were measured in fasting newborns and infants.
• Fasting gastrin levels were compared between different age groups.
• Gastrin response to milk feeding was assessed.
• Fasting gastrin levels were analyzed in infants with hiatus hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux compared to controls.

Main Results:

• Mean fasting serum gastrin was significantly higher in newborns (130.4 pg/ml) than in infants (101.4 pg/ml).
• Milk ingestion induced a rise in serum gastrin levels in both newborns and infants.
• Fasting gastrin levels were comparable between infants with gastro-oesophageal reflux and age-matched controls.
• One infant with lower oesophageal dyskinesia exhibited a markedly elevated fasting gastrin concentration.

Conclusions:

• Gastrin release and response to food stimulation in early life resemble those in adult humans.
• No gastrin release defects were identified in infants experiencing gastro-oesophageal reflux.
• Further investigation may be warranted for elevated gastrin in specific conditions like lower oesophageal dyskinesia.