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Macromolecular absorption in small-for-gestational-age infants
G Boehm1, I Jakobsson, M Månsson
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
Insights
Intrauterine growth retardation in infants leads to delayed intestinal maturation, evidenced by slower decreases in macromolecular absorption. This impacts nutrient absorption and overall infant development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Gastrointestinal Development
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Macromolecular absorption is crucial for nutrient uptake in neonates.
- Premature infants and those with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) may exhibit altered intestinal function.
- Human alpha-lactalbumin serves as a reliable marker for assessing macromolecular absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macromolecular absorption in preterm infants, appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and small for gestational age (SGA).
- To determine the impact of gestational age and postnatal age on alpha-lactalbumin absorption.
- To assess if intrauterine growth retardation affects intestinal maturation and macromolecular absorption.
Main Methods:
- Human alpha-lactalbumin was used as a marker protein.
- Serum concentrations of alpha-lactalbumin were measured in preterm AGA, term AGA, and preterm SGA infants.
- Measurements were taken on days 7, 14, 21, and 42 post-delivery, expressed per kg body weight.
Main Results:
- Serum alpha-lactalbumin concentration correlated negatively with infant maturity and postnatal age.
- SGA infants exhibited significantly higher alpha-lactalbumin concentrations compared to AGA infants of similar gestational age.
- Intrauterine growth retardation was associated with a delayed postnatal decrease in macromolecular absorption.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine growth retardation suggests delayed intestinal maturation in infants.
- Altered macromolecular absorption in SGA infants may indicate functional immaturity of the gut.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of delayed intestinal maturation.
Abstract:
Using human alpha-lactalbumin as a marker protein, macromolecular absorption was studied in 40 preterm infants, appropriate for gestational age (AGA), in 12 AGA term infants and in 18 preterm infants, small for gestational age (SGA). The absorption of alpha-lactalbumin was measured as concentration in serum after a human milk feed and expressed as micrograms alpha-lactalbumin/l serum/l human milk/kg body weight on day 7, 14, 21 and 42 after delivery. The serum concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was correlated negatively with maturity and postnatal age. In the SGA infants, the concentration of alpha-lactalbumin was significantly higher than in the AGA infants of similar gestational age. The data show that intrauterine growth retardation causes a delayed postnatal decrease in macromolecular absorption. This may indicate delayed intestinal maturation.