Abstract
Production of hydrogen (H2) was simultaneously estimated by both end-tidal breath sampling (ETH2) and by direct excretion rate determinations (VeH2), using a flow-through system with gastight head hood and reduction gas detector (res. = .010 ppm/2.5 ml sample). Studies were performed on 8 normal formula-fed infants of various postnatal and gestational ages immediately after feeding with sampling at 30-minute intervals until the next feeding (2-3 hrs). Linear regression analysis of the normalized data showed no significant elevation in H2 production over the first 1, 2, or 3 hrs after feeding. ETH2 and VeH2 for each infant were thus taken to be the respective means of the multiple separate determinations during the sampling period. For the infant studies with complete data (n=10), mean ETH2 was 31±24.9 (S.D.) ppm (range 6.85 to 90.6 ppm); mean VeH2 was 1.47±.89 (S.D.)ml/hr (range .18 to 2.96 ml/hr). The failure of feeding to elicit an increase in either ETH2 or VeH2 and the persistence of high values relative to adult levels may be contributed to by the continuous presence of carbohydrate substrate in the gut because of frequent feeding. This hypothesis is supported by data from one extended study (5 hrs) during which no increase in ETH2 was noted after feeding, but a drop to 50% of the initial mean value occurred after 3 hours (r = .87).
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Ostrander, C., Cowan, B., Kerner, J. et al. 614 SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATIONS OF BREATH CONCENTRATION AND PULMONARY EXCRETION RATE OF HYDROGEN IN NEWBORNS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 543 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00627
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00627