title: Basal and meal-stimulated pepsinogen secretion in preterm infants: a longitudinal study.
abstract: In order to establish longitudinal normal values for basal and meal-stimulated pepsinogen secretory function in preterm infants, we studied 44 preterm infants with gestational ages of 28-36 weeks during the period of nasogastric tube feeding. Three age groups were evaluated: gestational ages of 28-30, 31-33, and 34-36 weeks. Basal pepsinogen did not change with postnatal age in any of the groups. Significant meal-stimulated pepsinogen secretion appeared during the third postnatal week in infants of 28-30 weeks of gestation. In the groups of infants of 31-33 and 34-36 weeks of gestation, significant meal-stimulated pepsinogen secretion was apparent in the first postnatal week. This study suggests that maturation of pepsinogen secretion appears at 31 weeks of gestation, independent of early feeding.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Gastroenterology Service, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weisselberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yahav
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reichman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jonas
mesh_terms: D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010435:Pepsinogens / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010435:Pepsinogens