Plasma neurotensin in term and preterm neonates

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Neurotensin is an ileal peptide hormone.
• Its role in human neonates has not been previously investigated.
• Gut hormones play crucial roles in infant physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasma neurotensin concentrations in healthy term and preterm infants.
• To compare neonatal neurotensin levels and responses to feeding with adult values.
• To explore the physiological significance of neurotensin in the neonatal period.

Main Methods:

• Radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma neurotensin.
• 276 healthy infants (term and preterm) were studied at birth and during the neonatal period.
• Infants were studied pre- and post-prandially, including a group of unfed preterm infants and adult controls.

Main Results:

• Term infants had higher plasma neurotensin than preterm infants at birth.
• Both term and preterm infants exhibited a postnatal surge in basal neurotensin, exceeding adult levels.
• Unfed preterm infants showed no postnatal neurotensin elevation; preterm infants demonstrated progressively larger neurotensin responses to milk feeds throughout the neonatal period.

Conclusions:

• Neurotensin concentrations and feed-induced responses are significantly elevated in neonates compared to adults.
• These findings support the physiological importance of neurotensin as a gut hormone in early life.
• The unique neurotensin profile in neonates suggests a specialized role in infant development and gut function.