[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.
Unidad de Gastroenterología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
M
M
Gotteland
S
S
Cruchet Muñoz
M
M
Araya Quezada
J
J
Espinoza Madariaga
O
O
Brunser Tesarschü
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.