Abnormal expression of glucose-6-phosphatase in preterm infants.
The hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme was studied in liver samples from 76 premature infants including 15 victims of sudden infant death syndrome. The data obtained were compared with glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver samples from 95 term infants. In the majority of preterm infants up to 350 days of age the activity of the glucose-6-phosphatase enzyme was at or below the extreme low limit of the normal range in term infants. The premature infants with the lowest hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activities are likely to be at risk of hypoglycaemic episodes during periods of relative starvation or stress.
Hume
R
R
Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh.
Burchell
A
A
D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012307:Risk Factors
D005952:Glucose-6-Phosphatase