Faecal fatty acids and gastrointestinal upset in newborn infants.
Patterns of long-chain faecal fatty acids were studied by gas-liquid chromatography in 55 newborn infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. Decreased fractions of fatty acid C16:1 and increased fractions of C16:0 and C17:0 were associated with the occurrence of abdominal distension. Decreased fractions of C16:1 and C18:2 were associated with diarrhoea. Flatulence was found in infants who had relatively smaller amounts of fatty acids C17:0D and C15:0 in their faecal samples. The differences in the patterns of faecal fatty acids are due to differences in bacterial flora. The results support the hypothesis that the initial intestinal colonization plays a role in the later gastrointestinal signs of newborn infants.
Ahtonen
P
P
Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
Lehtonen
O P
OP
Kero
P
P
Eerola
E
E
D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology
D005227:Fatty Acids