Influence of intrauterine growth retardation on parameters of liver function in low birth weight infants.
To establish nutritional management of low birth-weight infants according to their individual metabolic situation, hepatocellular partial function was studied in 13 appropriate (AGA) and 11 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) low birthweight (LBW) infants during the first weeks of postnatal life. The concentrations of total bile acids and of alpha-amino-nitrogen in serum, the renal excretion of urea and ammonia and the renal excretion of 15N after enteral administration of 3 mg 15N-labeled methacetin/kg were measured. In comparison to AGA infants, SGA infants had elevated serum concentrations of total bile acids and of alpha-amino-nitrogen, decreased excretion of urea, increased excretion of ammonia in urine, and lower urinary 15N-excretion after enteral administration of 15N-labeled methacetin. The data suggest that hepatocellular functions are influenced by intrauterine growth retardation resulting in a reduced metabolic capacity in SGA infants. The metabolic differences between SGA and AGA infants should be considered in the nutritional management of LBW infants.
Boehm
G
G
Department of Paediatrics, Karl-Marx-University, Leipzig, German Democratic Republic.
Müller
D M
DM
Teichmann
B
B
Krumbiegel
P
P
D000081:Acetamides / Q000652:urine; D000588:Amines / Q000097:blood; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D011247:Pregnancy; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000097:blood; D014508:Urea / Q000652:urine
D000081:Acetamides; D000588:Amines; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; C035495:methacetin; D014508:Urea; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D009584:Nitrogen