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Assessment of intestinal permeability in (premature) neonates by sugar absorption tests

Willemijn E Corpeleijn1, Ruurd M van Elburg, Ido P Kema

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Premature infants show increased intestinal permeability, a potential factor in necrotizing enterocolitis. Sugar absorption tests, measuring lactulose and mannitol in urine, offer a safe, non-invasive method to assess this permeability in neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Gastrointestinal health
  • Pediatric gastroenterology

Background:

  • Premature infants exhibit heightened intestinal permeability compared to healthy term infants.
  • This increased intestinal permeability is a potential risk factor for developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and feasibility of using sugar absorption tests for assessing intestinal permeability in premature neonates.
  • To establish a non-invasive method for monitoring intestinal barrier function in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Enteral administration of a test solution containing lactulose and mannitol to premature infants.
  • Collection and analysis of urine samples to measure lactulose and mannitol excretion.
  • Quantification of sugar concentrations using gas chromatography after sample derivatization.

Main Results:

  • The sugar absorption test (lactulose/mannitol ratio) provides a reliable measure of intestinal permeability.
  • The assessment method was found to be safe and well-tolerated by the infants, with minimal burden.
  • This non-invasive technique can be effectively employed in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

  • Sugar absorption tests are a safe and effective non-invasive method for assessing intestinal permeability in premature neonates.
  • This method can aid in identifying infants at risk for NEC and monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
  • Further research can explore the utility of this test in guiding nutritional strategies for preterm infants.

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