Digestion and absorption at infant age
The complex process of digestion/absorption can be optimally effective only when the GI tract and accessory organs are totally develop and fully functioning.
Not only must the muscular tube (alimentary canal) with it a mucosal lining and endocrine cells be operating efficiently in conjunction with the nervous system, but the accessory organs (pancreas, liver, and gallbladder) with their important digestive secretions also must be physiologically mature.
The feeding of infants is based on primarily in degree of maturation of the GI tract and accessory organs.
Good examples of the emphasis on GI tract maturity are the care given to the fat in infant formula and the time and sequence of the introduction of various foods into the infant’s diet.
Only those fats possessing an ease used in commercial formulas and the introduction of solid food, beginning with baby cereal usually occurs no earlier than 4 months of age.
The infant pancreas, although structurally mature at term, is usable for several months to produce enzymes sufficient for effective digestion.
Pancreatic lipase, alpha-amylase and the proteolytic enzymes are in too short supply to accommodate digestion of a mixed diet. Digestion of fat is a real concern because there is a deficiency of bile salts from the liver as well as low lipase release from the pancreas.
Digestion and absorption at infant age
