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Sugar absorption in healthy preterm and full-term infants
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Newborns frequently experience incomplete carbohydrate absorption, but this capacity improves within the first month, especially in preterm infants. Breath hydrogen tests indicate developing intestinal function for carbohydrate digestion.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric nutrition
Background:
- Carbohydrate absorption is crucial for infant nutrition.
- Maturation of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract influences nutrient assimilation.
- Understanding carbohydrate malabsorption in neonates is essential for optimizing feeding strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate carbohydrate absorption in term and preterm neonates.
- To evaluate the efficacy of different methods for assessing carbohydrate malabsorption.
- To determine the timeline for the development of carbohydrate hydrolyzing capacity in the neonatal period.
Main Methods:
- Respiratory hydrogen (H2) measurements (24-h and 4-h tests).
- Fecal pH analysis.
- Chromatographic analysis of stool for sugar content.
Main Results:
- High incidence of incomplete carbohydrate absorption observed in both term and preterm infants.
- 24-hour H2 collection test was more effective than the 4-hour test.
- Negative breath H2 excretion correlated with the development of intestinal carbohydrate hydrolysis capacity.
- Functional lactase developed within the first month in most preterm infants with malabsorption.
Conclusions:
- Incomplete carbohydrate absorption is common in newborns but typically resolves within the first month.
- Breath H2 excretion is a reliable indicator of developing intestinal digestive function.
- Human milk growth modulators may accelerate small intestinal maturation and improve carbohydrate absorption.