Enteral administration of hematopoietic growth factors in the neonatal intensive care unit.
By 20 wk of gestation, the human fetal gastrointestinal (GI) tract morphologically resembles that of the term infant, but functional development is limited before 26 wk. By 30 wk of gestation, the fetus has the capacity for limited digestion and enteral absorption. GI growth and development continue postnatally. Trophic factors, including nutrients, peptides, hormones and growth factors, are recognized as having important influences on the morphology and histology of the developing GI tract. Other trophic factors are important in adaptation and repair following injury. Many such factors are provided in utero via amniotic fluid swallowing and later by human colostrum and milk.


CONCLUSIONS
This review discusses cytokines with known GI trophic effects, either in vitro or in vivo, and focuses on those cytokines that have been used in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Calhoun
D A
DA
dcalhoun@hsc.usf.edu
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000196:embryology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D016207:Cytokines; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors