Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
09:36

Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers

Published on: July 28, 2022

2.3K

Antenatal Growth, Gestational Age, Birth, Enteral Feeding, and Blood Citrulline Levels in Very Low Birth Weight

Midori Obayashi1, Sachiko Iwata2, Tomoya Okuda1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital, 50 Aza Hakken Nishi, Aotake-cho, Toyohashi 441-8570, Japan.

Nutrients
|February 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Serum citrulline levels may indicate intestinal function in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). Early levels reflect fetal metabolism, while later levels correlate with enteral nutrition and growth, suggesting citrulline as a potential biomarker.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Establishing reliable biomarkers for intestinal function is crucial for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs).
  • Serum citrulline, known to reflect intestinal function in adults, has potential as a biomarker in neonates.
  • Understanding the interplay between antenatal factors, postnatal nutrition, and citrulline metabolism is essential for VLBWIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between antenatal growth, postnatal enteral nutrition, and serum citrulline levels in VLBWIs.
  • To explore the potential of serum citrulline as a biomarker for intestinal function in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of 248 VLBWIs (April 2014 - March 2021).
  • Mixed-effects modeling and post hoc simple slope analysis to assess correlations.
  • Measurement of citrulline levels at early (day 5.1) and late (day 24.3) postnatal ages.

Main Results:

  • Higher gestational age, birth weight, and enteral nutrition were associated with lower early postnatal citrulline levels.
  • These factors were linked to higher late postnatal citrulline levels.
  • Early citrulline levels appear to reflect antenatal metabolism (catabolism), while later levels indicate postnatal synthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Serum citrulline levels change dynamically in VLBWIs, reflecting a shift from fetal catabolism to postnatal synthesis.
  • Citrulline shows promise as a biomarker for assessing intestinal function and diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders in neonates.
  • Further research into the maturation-dependent transition point of citrulline metabolism could enhance its clinical utility.

Keywords:
birth weightcitrullineenteral nutritiongestational agevery low birth weight infant

More Related Videos

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation09:02

Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation

Published on: February 15, 2018

19.5K
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

14.1K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.0K
Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test01:30

Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test

Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...
348
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
334
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
92
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
20.5K