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Chymotryptic activity in stool of low birth weight infants in the first week of life
Insights
Pancreatic enzyme activity in low birth weight (LBW) infants shows initial low values peaking on day three. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants exhibit lower chymotrypsin levels, suggesting intrauterine malnutrition impacts pancreatic function.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric nutrition
Background:
- Assessing pancreatic enzyme activity is crucial for infant health.
- Low birth weight (LBW) infants may have altered physiological development.
- Early detection of pancreatic dysfunction is vital for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pancreatic enzyme activity in LBW infants during the first week of life.
- To analyze chymotrypsin levels in stool specimens of LBW infants.
- To determine reference ranges for pancreatic enzyme activity in this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chymotrypsin content in 198 stool specimens.
- Study included 42 LBW infants with birth weights from 750 to 2570 g.
- Comparison of enzyme activity between small-for-gestational age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants.
Main Results:
- Observed wide variation in chymotrypsin activity.
- Activity showed a trend of initially low values, peaking on the third postnatal day.
- SGA infants had significantly lower chymotrypsin values compared to AGA infants.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine malnutrition may cause secondary pancreatic dysfunction in SGA infants.
- Low stool chymotrypsin values in LBW infants are not considered pathological until after the fourth day of life.
- Findings provide a basis for interpreting pancreatic function in LBW neonates.
Abstract:
Pancreatic enzyme activity in low birth weight (LBW) infants during the first postnatal week has been evaluated by analysing the chymotrypsin content of 198 stool specimens from 42 LBW infants with birth weights ranging between 750 and 2570 g. A wide variation in chymotryptic activity yet with a tendency to initially low values with a peak on the third day after birth was found. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants had significantly lower values than appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants. This is considered due to intra-uterine malnutrition with secondary pancreatic dysfunction in SGA infants. In screening program for cystic fibrosis or other defects of exocrine pancreatic activity, low stool chymotrypsin values cannot be considered pathological until after the fourth day of life.