Protein conservation by the immature intestine

Uptake of intact macromolecules by the immature gut is a well-known phenomenon, but no information exists on the possibility that there is also increased protein loss in the intestinal lumen in preterm infants. We determined alpha-1-antitrypsin (A-1-AT) levels in fecal samples from 39 infants born after 27-41 weeks of gestation from birth up to 30 days of age. A-1-AT levels were elevated only in meconial stools, and low in nonmeconial stools, regardless of associated respiratory disorders, drug administration, and type of nutrition. This study shows that the immature graft has a mature pattern of protein conservation at least as early as after 29 weeks of gestation.