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Development of the newborn GI tract and its relation to colostrum/milk intake: a review
1Department of Zoology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Insights
Maternal colostrum significantly drives newborn gastrointestinal (GI) development, promoting tissue growth and functional maturation. Colostrum-derived epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are key to this postnatal GI tract development.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Physiology
- Gastrointestinal Development
- Perinatal Biology
Background:
- The neonatal gastrointestinal (GI) tract undergoes rapid development post-birth.
- Key changes include epithelial proliferation, increased mucus production, enhanced acid secretion, and altered absorptive/secretory functions.
- These GI changes appear linked to the initiation of colostrum feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of maternal colostrum in neonatal GI tract maturation.
- To identify specific colostrum components influencing postnatal GI development.
- To explore potential therapeutic applications of colostrum-derived factors.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of GI tract changes in newborns based on feeding status (colostrum vs. starvation/water).
- Identification and quantification of hormones and growth factors in maternal colostrum.
- Review of existing evidence on the impact of colostrum components on GI development.
Main Results:
- Newborns fed colostrum exhibited significant GI tract growth and functional maturation compared to starved or water-fed infants.
- Maternal colostrum contains high concentrations of insulin, cortisol, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I).
- Evidence suggests colostrum-derived EGF and IGF-I play a crucial role in neonatal GI development.
Conclusions:
- Colostrum ingestion is a primary driver of postnatal GI tract development.
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) from colostrum are vital for neonatal GI maturation.
- Further research is needed to assess therapeutic uses of colostrum-derived factors in vulnerable newborns.
Abstract:
During the immediate postnatal period, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract undergoes profound growth, morphological changes and functional maturation. The oesophagus shows an accelerated cell proliferation in the epithelium and an increased production and accumulation of mucus in the glands. The stomach shows a rapid tissue growth and a marked increase in acid secretion capacity. The intestine shows increased tissue growth and marked epithelial modifications; the latter include the loss of the ability by the epithelial cells of the small intestine to absorb macromolecules, and the loss of the ability by the epithelial cells of the large intestine to synthesize digestive enzymes and to absorb amino acids and glucose. These changes are apparently related to the onset of colostrum ingestion, because starved or water-fed newborns showed little changes in the GI tract. A number of hormones and growth-promoting peptides, such as insulin, cortisol, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), have been found at high concentrations in the maternal colostrum. There is evidence that colostrum-bone EGF and IGF-I play a role in postnatal GI development in newborns. The role of other colostrum-borne hormones and growth-promoting peptides remains to be assessed. Further studies are also required to demonstrate if colostrum-borne EGF and IGF-I can be used therapeutically to those newborns with immature or diseased GI tract, such as in cases of premature birth or prenatal growth retardation or cases requiring total parenteral nutrition.