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Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1999;80:F183-F187 doi:10.1136/fn.80.3.F183
  • Original article

Development of fat digestion in infancy

  1. W G Mansona,
  2. W A Cowardb,
  3. M Hardingb,
  4. L T Weavera
  1. aDepartment of Child Health, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill Hospitals, Glasgow G3 8SJ, bMRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, University of Cambridge
  1. Professor L T Weaver. Email:lweaver{at}clinmed.gla.ac.uk
  • Accepted 22 November 1998

Abstract

AIM To measure the development of fat digestion in early life, using a stable isotope breath test.

METHODS A combined longitudinal and cross sectional study was performed on 30 term and preterm infants using 13C-labelled mixed triglyceride (MTG). Seventy six tests were performed in all. Results were expressed as cumulative percentage dose recovered over 6 hours (cPDR).

RESULTS Eighteen of 34 tests performed on infants under 30 days of age showed cPDRs below the normal range for adults and older children. The remainder of tests, performed on infants over 57 days of age, all showed cPDRs within the normal range. Peak PDR correlated significantly (r = 0.928, p<0.01) with cPDR.

CONCLUSION The capacity to digest fat is incomplete at birth, but quickly develops to normal levels during the first months of life. The MTG breath test is a useful non-invasive method to measure the development of fat digestion in early life.

  • Indirect evidence suggests that neonates have a limited capacity to digest dietary fat

  • Using a 13C-labelled mixed triglyceride, infants show a rapid maturation in intraluminal fat digestion during the early months of life

  • Stable isotope breath tests are a safe, simple, reproducible non-invasive way of measuring the development of fat digestion in early life

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