Abstract
Abstract.: In human premature infants, a stimulated acid secretory response to a mixed meal had been demonstrated recently. Pepsinogen secretion in response to a meal in newborns particularly the prematures has not been investigated. To determine whethef formula feeding could stimulate pepsinogen output, we evaluated the changes in pepsinogen levels in the stomach content of premature infants at mean gestational age of 34.5 weeks, at various time post prandially. Gastric aspirates collected from premature infants in a study carried out for evaluation of the rate of gastric emptying up to 100 minutes after a bolus formula feeding were assayed for pepsinogen. The formulas used were: a special premature formula (Similac PM 60;40) and another formula (Modified Similac PM 60;40). The pepsinogen activity in those premature is by 1/10 to 1/20 of the amount of pepsinogen recorded in older children. The basal pepsinogen in gastric aspirates was 0.1±0.05 (X±SD) U/Kg. Pepsinogen activity as measured in 13 premature infants increased 20 minutes after feeding with both formulas and remained higher than basal activity through the entire study period. Peak values were recorded after 60 minutes. These results demonstrate thai in hunan premature infants a mixed meal led to an increase in pepsinogen activity in the stomach content, suggesting a response to a meal stimulus by the chief cells in the stomach of premature infants.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yahav, J., Carrion, V., Lee, P. et al. 92. MEAL STIMULATED PEPSINOGEN SECRETION IN PREMATURE INFANIS. Pediatr Res 22, 111 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00113
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198707000-00113