Prenatal predictors of chronic lung disease in very preterm infants

OBJECTIVE: To identify prenatal risk factors for chronic lung disease (CLD) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age in very preterm infants. POPULATION: Data were collected prospectively as part of the ongoing audit of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) of all infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation admitted to all tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: Prenatal factors up to 1 minute of age were examined in the subset of infants born at gestational ages 22-31 weeks during 1998-2001, and who survived to 36 weeks postmenstrual age (n = 11 453). Factors that were significantly associated with CLD at 36 weeks were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: After adjustment, low gestational age was the dominant risk factor, with an approximate doubling of the odds with each week of decreasing gestational age from 31 to less than 25 weeks (trend p<0.0001). Birth weight for gestational age also had a dose-response effect: the lower the birth weight for gestational age, the greater the risk, with infants below the third centile having 5.67 times greater odds of CLD than those between the 25th and 75th centile (trend p<0.0001). There was also a significantly increased risk for male infants (odds ratio 1.51 (95% confidence interval 1.36 to 1.68), p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These population based data show that the prenatal factors low gestational age, low birth weight for gestational age, and male sex significantly predict the development of chronic respiratory insufficiency in very preterm infants and may assist clinical decision about delivery.     

Catch up Growth in Preterm Infants

Seventy-one surviving infants were followed up from birth to 24 weeks of postnatal age. Their mean gestational age was 32 weeks with a range of 26–36 weeks and a standard deviation of 2.1 weeks. Their mean birth weight was 1.805 kg with a range of 0.675–2.5 kg and a standard deviation of 0.408 kg. Their weights, lengths and head circumferences were measured at birth, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Curves for the mean weight, length and head circumference were produced and superimposed on the available intrauterine and extra-uterine growth charts. The growth curves of the preterm infants did not show the flattening noted in the intrauterine curves towards term. The curve of the mean weight of the preterm infants started at the 50th centile for Gairdner & Pearson (1971) at birth to drop below that shortly after birth. At 40 weeks of postconceptional age the mean weight curve of preterm infants crossed the 50th centile and continued above it to reach the 90th centile at 60 weeks. The curves of mean length and head circumference started below the 50th centile at birth and crossed it at 40 weeks and continued above it to approach the 90th centile at 60 weeks. Growth velocity was calculated as a relative gradient using the straight line equation (y=a+bx), where y is the weight, length or head circumference, and x is the independent variable and here it is the group mean of the parameter at the corresponding ages. Catch up growth is taken as a relative gradient significantly greater than one. The first 24 weeks of postnatal life are defined as a period of catch up growth with the first 8 weeks as an interval of maximum head velocity.     

降钙素原在新生儿早发型败血症中的诊断价值

目的 探讨生后3 d内降钙素原（PCT）在新生儿早发型败血症（EOS）中的诊断价值,拟定不同胎龄段新生儿生后不同时龄段PCT诊断EOS的阈值。方法 纳入确诊败血症109例、临床诊断败血症215例、非败血症367例新生儿为研究对象,通过ROC曲线分析不同胎龄段、时龄段新生儿PCT水平诊断EOS的最佳阈值,比较PCT与血培养的诊断价值。结果 确诊组中胎龄<34周患儿PCT水平明显高于胎龄≥ 34周患儿（P < 0.05）。胎龄≥ 34周患儿在不同时龄段<12 h、12~<24 h、24~<36 h、36~<48 h、48~<60 h、60~72 h,PCT诊断EOS的最佳阈值分别为1.588、4.960、5.583、1.710、3.570、3.574 ng/mL,灵敏度分别为0.688、0.737、0.727、0.732、0.488、0.333,特异度分别为0.851、0.883、0.865、0.755、0.930、0.900。生后36 h内PCT的曲线下面积较血培养大（P < 0.05）。结论 晚期早产儿（胎龄≥ 34周）及足月儿在PCT诊断EOS时可采用共同的标准,但早期早产儿（胎龄<34周）需单独考虑。PCT诊断不同时龄段EOS患儿有不同的最佳诊断阈值,生后36 h内PCT在EOS中的诊断价值比血培养高。     

早产儿生后早期血清降钙素原生理变化规律的研究

目的探讨生后不同时间和不同胎龄的早产儿血清降钙素原(PCT)生理变化规律。方法无感染新生儿217例,其中足月儿115例,早产儿102例,后者依据胎龄分为3个亚组:30～32周(30例)、33～34周(35例)、35～36周(37例),分别研究其生后0～12 h、13～24 h、25～36 h、37～48 h、49～72 h、73～96 h、97～120 h、121～144 h PCT水平变化规律。结果新生儿生后随着时间推移,PCT逐渐升高,24 h左右达高峰,其后逐渐下降,生后96 h左右降至儿童正常值。早产儿组PCT峰值晚于足月儿组,约在生后36 h出现,此后缓慢下降,96 h左右降至和足月儿数据相当。30～32周早产儿生后PCT数值维持低浓度水平,37～48 h逐渐升高,升高时间晚于33～34周及35～36周早产儿。结论新生儿在生后早期PCT有一个先增高后下降的动态变化过程,其中早产儿分泌高峰要迟于足月儿。32周以前早产儿生后36 h之内PCT水平较低。     

HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract The lipoprotein pattern was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis in 19 newborn infants of varying gestational age. The HDL concentration was determined by rocket Immunoelectrophoresis in another 41 newborn infants. Infants with a gestational age of <33 weeks had very low HDL concentrations compared to preterm infants with a gestational age of 33 weeks and term infants. In the first 5–10 days after birth the HDL concentration increased markedly in preterm infants (gestational age <37 weeks) whereas it remained unchanged in term infants.     

The postnatal hypotransferrinemia of early preterm newborn infants.

Preterm newborns were found to be markedly hypotransferrinemic when compared with normal term infants. At birth the concentration of transferrin in sera from preterm infants of gestational age equal to or less than 32 weeks is 45% of that found in normal term infant sera. The preterm infant transferrin levels slowly rise so that 7-8 weeks after birth they are 78% of the level found in the sera of normal term infants. We also found that the serum transferrin concentrations at birth correlate with gestational age. Therefore, the transferrin levels postnatally in early preterm infants reflect postconceptional rather than postnatal age.     

High density lipoprotein concentrations in newborn infants.

The lipoprotein pattern was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis in 19 new born infants of varying gestational age. The HDL concentration was determined by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in another 41 newborn infants. Infants with a gestational age of less than 33 weeks had very low HDL concentrations compared to preterm infants with a gestational age of less than or equal to 33 weeks and term ihfants. In the first 5-10 days after birth the HDL concentration increased markedly in preterm infants (gestational age less than 37 weeks) whereas it remained unchanged in term infants.     

Measurement of renal size in preterm and term infants by real-time ultrasound

The kidneys in term and preterm infants were visualised by real-time ultrasound scanning. A cross-sectional centile chart has been plotted for kidney length in 100 unselected infants ranging in gestational age from 26 to 42 weeks. The ratio of kidney length to crown-to-heel length appeared to remain constant despite abnormalities in intrauterine growth rate.     

胎龄≤32周早产儿低血糖的危险因素分析

目的 探讨胎龄≤32周早产儿出生后发生低血糖的危险因素。方法 回顾性纳入2017年1月至2020年6月入住新生儿重症监护病房的86例胎龄≤32周低血糖早产儿作为低血糖组,随机选取同期住院监测血糖正常的早产儿172例为对照组。采用单因素分析与多因素logistic回归分析筛选早产儿低血糖的危险因素。结果 研究期间早产儿共计515例,其中低血糖86例（16.7%）。低血糖组小于胎龄儿（SGA）、剖宫产出生、孕母高血压、产前使用激素的比例均高于对照组（P < 0.05）,而出生体重及血糖检测前已静脉使用葡萄糖的比例均低于对照组（P < 0.05）。SGA（OR=4.311,95% CI：1.285~14.462）、孕母高血压（OR=2.469,95% CI：1.310~4.652）和产前使用激素（OR=6.337,95% CI：1.430~28.095）为早产儿低血糖的危险因素（P < 0.05）,静脉使用葡萄糖（OR=0.318,95% CI：0.171~0.591）为早产儿低血糖的保护因素（P < 0.05）。结论 SGA、孕母高血压和产前使用激素可增加胎龄≤32周早产儿早期发生低血糖的风险;对胎龄≤32周早产儿,建议生后尽早静脉使用葡萄糖,以减少低血糖的发生。     

Preterm infants with low immunoglobulin G levels have increased risk of neonatal sepsis but do not benefit from prophylactic immunoglobulin G

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, we evaluated the prevention of neonatal infections with intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIgG) prophylaxis for preterm infants (gestational age <33 weeks) with umbilical cord blood IgG levels < or =4 g/L. STUDY DESIGN: Intravenous IgG or placebo (albumin), 1 g/kg body weight, was given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 to 81 infants with umbilical cord blood IgG levels < or =4 g/L: (1) IVIgG group, n = 40, mean (SD) gestational age 27.5 (2.2) weeks and birth weight 1.06 (0.39) kg; (2) placebo group, n = 41, mean (SD) gestational age 27.7 (2.5) weeks and birth weight 1.13 (0.38) kg. Infants with umbilical cord blood IgG levels >4 g/L (n = 238) served as a separate comparison group. Neonatal infections according to European Society of Pediatric Infectious Disease criteria were monitored until 28 days of life. RESULTS: Infants with IgG levels < or =4 g/L at birth who received IVIgG had no significant reduction in infectious episodes or mortality rate when compared with those given placebo. However, infants with a serum concentration of IgG >4 g/L at birth had significantly fewer infectious episodes (culture-proven sepsis) than infants with low serum concentrations of IgG (< or =4 g/L) when compared at the same gestational ages (26 to 29 weeks, P <.003). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic immunotherapy with IVIgG did not improve the immune competence in preterm infants with low serum IgG concentrations at birth. We speculate that a spontaneously high serum IgG concentration at birth reflects placenta function and is an indicator of a more mature immune system capable of protecting the preterm infant against severe neonatal infections.     

早产儿脑额叶发育及其影响因素的研究

目的 应用三维超声技术探讨早产儿脑额叶发育及其影响因素.方法 选取222例无严重脑损伤的早产儿,应用三维超声对额叶体积进行测量.随访中分别在矫正年龄至40周、1个月、3个月、6个月及以后的时间进行全面的神经系统及体格发育检查,6个月内进行体积跟踪测定.结果 早产儿出生时额叶体积随胎龄的增加而增长.生后出现追赶性生长,在矫正年龄40周及1个月时增长最为迅速,达到甚至超过了足月儿,在以后的生长中逐渐落后于正常足月儿.早产儿成熟度越低,额叶体积越小,矫正年龄40周及以后的时间点,各组额叶体积数值相当,组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).宫内外营养情况较差的早产儿额叶体积的生长始终落后于生长发育正常的早产儿(P＜0.05).额叶体积生长严重落后的早产儿出现神经发育重度异常的几率较正常早产儿明显升高(50%).结论 早产儿额叶体积随胎龄增长而增加,生后短期内出现追赶性生长,宫内外营养状况影响额叶发育,体积测定值的异常与神经发育异常有关.     

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE: To assess serum concentrations of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) in preterm infants with neonatal bacterial infection (NBI). METHODS: Blood samples were analysed of 57 preterm (28(+1) to 36(+6), median 33(+2) weeks gestation) and 17 term infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit within the first 72 hours of life with suspicion of NBI. Samples were obtained at first suspicion of sepsis and after 12 and 24 hours. Diagnosis of NBI was confirmed by raised concentrations of C reactive protein and/or interleukin 6. The influence of gestational age and labour was analysed. RESULTS: Maximum LBP concentrations in infants with NBI were greatly increased compared with infants without NBI (13.0-46.0 microg/ml (median 20.0 microg/ml) v 0.6-17.4 microg/ml (median 4.2 microg/ml)). LBP concentrations in infected infants were not yet significantly raised when NBI was first suspected. The LBP concentrations of preterm infants were comparable to those of term infants. Regression analysis revealed no significant effect of labour or gestational age on LBP. CONCLUSIONS: Raised LBP concentrations indicate NBI in preterm and term infants. Preterm infants of > 28 weeks gestation seem to be capable of producing LBP as efficiently as term infants. Neonatal LBP concentrations are not influenced by labour. LBP may be a useful diagnostic marker of NBI in preterm infants.     

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in preterm and full-term newborn infants from a population with a high seroprevalence rate

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infections in humans. Prematurity occurs in as many as 34% of infants with symptomatic congenital CMV infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical presentation and frequency of congenital CMV infection among preterm infants and full-term infants from a population with a high seroprevalence rate. DESIGN/METHODS: A total of 289 preterm infants (median gestational age, 34 weeks; median birth weight, 1,757 g) and 163 term infants (median gestational age, 39 weeks; median birth weight, 3,150 g) sequentially born were included in the study. Serum IgG antibodies to CMV were measured in all mothers. One urine sample was collected within the first 7 days of age from all newborns. Virus isolation in urine samples was performed by tissue culture, and viral DNA was detected by a multiplex PCR. CMV infection was diagnosed in infants with virus excretion detected by both methods on at least two occasions within the first 3 weeks of life. RESULTS: Maternal CMV seropositivity rate was 95.7%. Congenital CMV infection was detected in 6 of 289 (2.1%) (95% confidence interval, 0.84 to 4.68) preterm infants and in 3 of 163 term infants (1.8%) (95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 5.74) (P > 0.05). Four of 6 preterm infants with congenital CMV infection were symptomatic, but none of the term infants was symptomatic (P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: The frequency of congenital CMV infection in preterm newborn infants from mothers with a high seropositive rate was similar to that found in term infants. No significant difference was found between the proportion of symptomatic infants among preterm and term infants. Our finding of symptomatic congenital CMV infection underscores the need of further evaluation of correlates of congenital symptomatic infection in highly immune populations.     

Influencing factors for the development and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g北大核心CSCD

Objective To study the influencing factors for the development and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g who were admitted to Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. According to oxygen dependence on day 28 after birth, they were divided into two groups: BPD (n=218) and non-BPD (n=142). According to disease severity based on oxygen concentration required at the corrected age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the infants with BPD were divided into two groups: mild BPD (n=154) and moderate/severe BPD (n=64). Indices such as perinatal data and nutritional status were compared between groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors for BPD and its severity. Results The incidence rate and severity of BPD increased with the reduction in gestational age and birth weight (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a long duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (OR=1.320, P <0.05), hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (OR=2.032, P<0.05), and a prolonged time to reach oral calorie goal of 110 kcal/(kg·d) (OR=1.041, P<0.05) were risk factors for BPD, while an older gestational age was a protective factor against BPD (OR=0.535, P<0.05). Early-onset sepsis (OR=2.524, P<0.05) and a prolonged time to reach oral calorie goal of 110 kcal/(kg·d) (OR=1.029, P<0.05) were risk factors for moderate/severe BPD, while a high mean weight growth velocity was a protective factor against moderate/severe BPD (OR=0.906, P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence rate and severity of BPD in preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and a birth weight of <1 500 g can be reduced by shortening the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, giving early treatment of early-onset sepsis and hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, adopting active enteral nutritional strategies, and increasing mean weight growth velocity. © 2022 Xiangya Hospital of CSU. All rights reserved.     

极早产儿初始无创持续气道正压呼吸支持失败的多中心队列研究

目的分析出生胎龄<32周的极早产儿初始无创持续气道正压(CPAP)呼吸支持失败的危险因素及其不良结局。方法采取多中心前瞻性观察性队列研究,收集山东新生儿协作网中30家医院新生儿重症监护病房2019年出生的出生胎龄 25~31⁺⁶周极早产儿的围生期资料、临床救治情况和结局。根据生后初始无创CPAP的结局分为失败组和成功组。采用χ²检验或Fisher确切概率法和非参数检验比较两组间危险因素的差异,并对差异有统计学意义的危险因素进一步进行二元Logistic回归分析。结果共纳入极早产儿 1 040例,其中男577例(55.5%),女463例(44.5%);出生胎龄25~28+6周195例(18.8%),29~31⁺⁶周845例(81.2%);出生体重<1 000 g 81例(7.8%),出生体重≥1 000 g 959例(92.2%)。失败组138例(13.3%),成功组902例(86.7%)。出生胎龄 25~28⁺⁶周、29~31⁺⁶周的初始无创CPAP失败率分别为24.6% (48/195)、10.7% (90/845)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,较小的出生胎龄、母亲妊娠期高血压疾病、生后发生Ⅲ~Ⅳ级呼吸窘迫综合征(RDS)、需用肺表面活性物质(PS)≥2次、吸入氧浓度>0.30是初始无创CPAP失败的独立危险因素(OR=0.718、1.847、4.003、6.712、1.948,95%CI:0.590~0.873、1.130~3.018、2.435~6.579、3.160~14.259、1.189~3.192,均P<0.05);失败组的病死率和新生儿肺出血、中重度支气管肺发育不良、重度脑室内出血不良结局的发生率均明显高于成功组(OR=4.436、26.393、1.998、4.545,95%CI:2.106~9.344、9.690~71.885、1.031~3.875、1.615~12.795,均P<0.05)。结论出生胎龄<32周的极早产儿初始无创CPAP失败主要不良结局的发生率较高;出生胎龄较小、母亲存在妊娠期高血压疾病,生后发生Ⅲ~Ⅳ级RDS、需用PS≥2次以及吸入氧浓度>0.30的是初始无创CPAP失败的危险因素。     

Analysis of the efficacy of urine culture as part of sepsis evaluation in the premature infant

BACKGROUND: Premature infants have a higher incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) than full term infants. UTI in premature infants can present with signs of sepsis: poor weight gain; temperature instability; metabolic acidosis; poor feeding; and abdominal distention. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of routine urine culture as part of a sepsis evaluation in the preterm infants. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all infants with birth weight <1500 g (very low birth weight) who underwent sepsis evaluation at MetroHealth Medical Center between January 1991 and February 1998. All infants from whom urine and blood specimens were collected concomitantly for culture as part of a sepsis evaluation were included. RESULTS: Included were 538 infants. Their mean gestational age was 28.5 +/- 2.7 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1072 +/- 276 g. Blood and urine specimens for culture were taken from 349 infants on admission or in the first 24 h of life (Group A), their mean birth weight was 1147 +/- 244 g, and mean gestational age was 28.9 +/- 2.6 weeks. None of these infants had positive urine cultures; 8 infants (2%) had positive blood cultures. Blood and urine specimens were obtained from 189 infants later between Days 6 and 150 of life (Group B); their mean birth weight was 933 +/- 278 g, and mean gestational age was 27.5 +/- 2.5 weeks. Forty-eight infants (25.3%) in Group B had positive urine cultures, and 79 infants (41.7%) had positive blood cultures. Eighteen infants (38%) with positive urine cultures had positive blood cultures, and 30 infants (62%) had negative blood cultures. CONCLUSIONS: There is minimal benefit in obtaining urine cultures from very low birth weight infants as part of a sepsis evaluation in the first 24 h of life. It is important to obtain urine cultures from older infants with signs of sepsis to identify patients with UTI with or without bacteremia.     

早产儿校正24月龄内生长轨迹研究（英文翻译）

目的分析早产儿校正24 月龄内生长轨迹,以了解早产儿的生长趋势和规律。方法基于互联网+ 随访系统建立早产儿随访数据库,纳入2018 年4 月至2021 年4 月3 188 例早产儿,收集其出生及校正1、3、6、 12、18、24 月龄时的身长、体重、头围数据。按不同的围生期因素分组,绘制生长曲线,并与21 世纪国际胎儿和新生儿生长联合会（International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century,INTERGROWTH-21st）标准和世界卫生组织（World Health Organization,WHO） 标准进行比较。结果按不同的围生期因素分组的各组早产儿体重、身长、头围曲线均在校正6 月龄内快速上升,校正6 月龄后增长速度减缓。按实际月龄比较,各出生胎龄组早产儿（<28 周、28~31⁺⁶周、32~33⁺⁶周、34~36⁺⁶周） 身长曲线在实际9 月龄后逐渐与WHO 曲线重合（P=0.082）,<32 周早产儿的体重和头围则一直落后于WHO 曲线（P<0.001）。校正月龄后,不同出生胎龄组早产儿（<28 周、28~31⁺⁶周、32~33⁺⁶周、34~36⁺⁶周） 的体格生长曲线基本重合（P>0.05）。超低出生体重儿和小于胎龄儿的身长、体重、头围曲线均低于INTERGROWTH-21st 标准和WHO 标准（P<0.05）。结论早产儿在校正6 月龄内体格增长速度较快,校正6 月龄后增长速度减缓。胎龄越小,体重和头围追赶的时间越长。应重点关注超早产儿、超低出生体重儿和小于胎龄儿的体格生长。     

Ponderal index as a predictor of neonatal morbidity in small for gestational age infants

Seventy four consecutively born small for gestational age infants (birth weight<10th centile) were classified into two groups based on the nutritional status at birth as determined by the ponderal index (weight gm/length cm³×100). All the infants had a ponderal index below the 50th centile. The disproportionately grown infants (52·7%) (PI<3rd centile) were more frequently affected by birth asphyxia, polycythemia and hypothermia than their more proportionately grown (47·3%) (PI>10th centile) counterparts. Thus the identification of disproportionately grown small-for-gestational age infants, which constitute a high risk group among the small-for-gestational age infants, is important at birth.     

Hyaluronan in the human neonatal lung: association with gestational age and other perinatal factors

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gestational age at birth, postnatal age, specific complications and methods of treatment on the lung hyaluronan concentration in infants. Lung samples and clinical records from 117 infants who died 0-228 days (32 weeks) after preterm or term birth were studied. The lung hyaluronan concentration at death was most strongly associated with the gestational age at birth, an association best described by an exponential function with a negative power coefficient. After adjustments for gestational age, the lung hyaluronan concentration also correlated significantly with birth weight, weight at death, the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio and specific staining for hyaluronan in the pleura. Intrauterine infection was also associated with a significantly higher lung hyaluronan concentration.     

Pancreatic elastase 1 in feces of preterm and term infants

BACKGROUND: Determination of fecal pancreatic elastase 1 (E1) is a reliable and noninvasive test of exocrine pancreatic function. Adult reference values of greater than 200 microg E1/g feces do not seem to be applicable to early infancy because of immature pancreatic function. Because reference values for infants do not exist, the current study was aimed to define reference values for preterm and term infants up to 12 months of age. METHODS: The authors measured pancreatic E1 concentration in feces of 148 infants up to 12 months of age. Infants with known bowel or pancreatic disorders were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The authors found that 96.8% of all children had E1 concentrations greater than an adult lower limit after 2 weeks of life, independent of gestational age. Up to 48 hours after birth, none of the preterm infants had an E1 concentration of greater than 30 microg/g meconium, whereas 43% of the term infants had normal adult values. CONCLUSIONS: The adult reference value for pancreatic E1 of greater than 200 microg/g feces can be applied to infants older than 2 weeks, independent of gestational age, birth weight, and the type of nutrition.