Abstract
Extract: Efflux of D-glucose at 4° was different in erythrocytes of healthy adults than it was in erythrocytes of term human infants. The calculated Ks. was 30.2 mM for the adult cells and 18.0 mM for the infant cells. The likeliest explanation of these results is the ontogeny of the sugar-carrier apparatus in the human erythrocyte.
Speculation: Evidence is presented that in the early stages of mammalian development transfer rates for certain solutes across the plasma membrane change substantially and that three of four possible transfer mechanisms participate in this change. This change may affect infant nutritional requirements and should be considered in establishing normal values of certain nutrients (e.g., glucose) in the premature and newly born. In addition, response of infants to drugs may be related to drug access to the target site. Whether other functions of the plasma membrane undergo developmental change in early postnatal life remains to be determined.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, T., Hall, N. Kinetics of Glucose Transfer in Adult and Fetal Human Erythrocytes. Pediatr Res 5, 356–359 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00003
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00003