[The improtance of endogenous amino acid losses in diarrhea in infants]

Protein depletion is introduced as a unitary concept in the progression of acute infantile diarrheas into a protracted or intractable stage. It has been shown that in acute infantile diarrhea significant amounts of endogenous nitrogen are lost through the stool. Accumulated loss beyond a week or so may interfere with regeneration of intestinal mucosa and the synthesis of digestive enzymes. The success of total parenteral alimentation in the management of intractable diarrhea supports this theory. As a relatively simple preventive measure, the administration of amino acid solution by peripheral vein, concomitantly with glucose, is suggested in the management of the early stages of infantile diarrhea.