[Intestinal permeability in the first year of life. The effect of diarrhea].
OBJECTIVE
The permeability of the intestinal mucosa to lactulose and mannitol was explored longitudinally in infants at 1, 3-4 and 11-12 months of age. This was also evaluated during the episodes of diarrhea that they suffered during follow-up.


METHODS
Sugar excretion was measured by gas chromatography in five-hour urine samples.


RESULTS
A decrease in lactulose excretion was observed, which became significant at 11-12 months of age (p = 0.02). No changes were detected in mannitol excretion, although this showed a tendency to decrease. The lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio remained unchanged. During the 15 episodes of diarrhea observed in these infants during the 12 month follow-up, a considerable increase in this ratio was seen, due mainly to increased lactulose excretion.


CONCLUSIONS
It is hypothesized that the decrease in lactulose excretion between one and 11-12 months of age is part of the maturational process of the intestinal barrier, while diarrhea results in increased permeability due to damage to the absorptive epithelium.
Gotteland
M
M
Unidad de Gastroenterología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Cruchet Muñoz
S
S
Araya Quezada
M
M
Espinoza Madariaga
J
J
Brunser Tesarschü
O
O
D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D010539:Permeability
D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic; D008353:Mannitol; D007792:Lactulose
Permeabilidad intestinal en el primer año de vida. Efecto de la diarrea.