title: Host defense development in gut and related disorders.
abstract: The gastrointestinal tract serves as an important interface between ingested elements from the external environment and the internal milieu of the person. Maturation of this intestinal barrier appears to occur along with the normal development of other organ systems. Evidence is presented for this maturational process, and the relation of this immature barrier to certain disease states seen in the neonatal period (e.g., infectious diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, and allergic disease) is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Israel
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D003092:Colitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000503:physiopathology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010447:Peptide Hydrolases