Development of functional responses in human exocrine pancreas
Lebenthal, E.; Lee, P.C.
Pediatrics 66(4): 556-560
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-4005 PMID: 6159567 Document Number: 61
The ability of newborns to digest proteins, fats and carbohydrates depends largely on their level of exocrine pancreatic function. Pancreatic enzyme activities in the duodenal fluid and the response of the exocrine pancreas to secretogogues in 15 premature and full-term infants at birth and at 30 days of age were studied. These findings were compared to those obtained from identical studies of 17 children age 2 yr and above. The pancreatic exopeptidase, carboxypeptidase B, in relation to other pancreatic enzymes were measured. The duodenal fluid of newborns and infants contained no amylase and negligible lipase. Carboxypeptidase B levels were low compared to those in the older children. Chymotrypsin activity in infants was about 50-60% of the level found in the older children. Trypsin activity, the highest of all enzymes measured, was about the same in newborns and older children, with a transient increase at 30 days. Administration of pancreozymin had no effect on pancreatic enzymes in the duodenal fluid of newborns and a slight effect on 1 mo. old infants. By age 2 yr, a full response of the pancreas to pancreozymin was evident. In infants and newborns, responses to secretin were poor. The secretory response of the human pancreas to secretogogues, absent or minimal at birth, is acquired during the postnatal period.
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