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Development of gut hormone responses to feeding in neonates
Insights
Human milk feeds significantly alter infant hormone levels over the first month. These changes in gastrointestinal hormone responses are minimal at birth but increase substantially by 24 days, aiding neonatal adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Human milk feeding is crucial for preterm neonate development.
- Hormonal responses to feeding mature rapidly in early infancy.
- Understanding these changes is key to neonatal adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in plasma hormone concentrations after human milk feeds in preterm neonates.
- To assess the impact of postnatal age on postprandial gastrointestinal hormone release.
Main Methods:
- Studied 158 healthy preterm neonates (mean gestation 33.5 weeks).
- Measured plasma concentrations of motilin, neurotensin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, enteroglucagon, gastrin, and secretin.
- Assessed hormonal responses at mean postnatal ages of 2.5, 6, 13, and 24 days.
Main Results:
- Postprandial hormone responses showed pronounced progressive changes with increasing postnatal age.
- Hormonal responses were minimal in the first few days of life.
- Responses became significantly larger by 24 days of age.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal gastrointestinal hormone responses to milk feeds undergo significant development in the first month of life.
- These maturational changes are critical for successful adaptation to postnatal life.
- Further research into these hormonal dynamics can inform clinical practice for preterm infants.
Abstract:
The development of the effects of a human milk feed on plasma concentrations of motilin, neurotensin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, enteroglucagon, gastrin, and secretin were studied in 158 healthy preterm neonates (mean gestation 33 1/2 weeks) at mean postnatal ages of 2 1/2, 6, 13, or 24 days. Pronounced progressive changes occurred in postprandial hormone responses; these were absent or small in the first days of life and were large by age 24 days. These changes may have important consequences in the adaptation to postnatal life.