Longitudinal distribution of brush border hydrolases and morphological maturation in the intestine of the preterm infant.

The morphological maturation and the distribution of brush border hydrolase activities were studied in the small intestine and the colon in newborn babies of 28-38 weeks gestational age. Lactase and sucrase activities were higher at term with maximal activity in the proximal intestine. In contrast, aminopeptidase and glucoamylase exhibited maximum activity in the distal part of the small bowel. Glucoamylase activity was already significant in the small intestine and in the colon of the preterm newborn. Sucrase activity present in the proximal colon of the preterm dropped to a negligible amount at term, whereas aminopeptidase activity increased, reaching values found in the small intestine. The enzymic changes occurring in the intestinal tract were related to the morphological maturation of the mucosa from fetal to adult type during late gestation. Accelerated morphological and functional maturation was observed in one preterm infant nourished intravenously for 12 days, these processes being independent of the presence of nutrients in the intestine. At term, the distal part of the intestine seems to have increased digestive capacities for peptides and polysaccharides. We present evidence that full-term, and to a lesser extent preterm infants are able to hydrolyse glucose polymers.