JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
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JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr · Nov 2019
Comparative StudyPlasma Citrulline Concentrations in Neonates With or Without Gastrointestinal Disease During Periods of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Citrulline is synthesized primarily in enterocytes. Retrospective work revealed higher plasma concentrations in patients without gastrointestinal (GI) disease than in those with GI disease, regardless of bowel resection, leading us to speculate whether it could be used as a marker of gut function prospectively. Our purpose was to analyze plasma citrulline in these patients, comparing a period of exclusive parenteral nutrition (PN) vs both PN and enteral nutrition (PN/EN). ⋯ Premature neonates with bowel resection had lower plasma citrulline concentrations, confirming its role as gut mass marker, though without differences during transitional feeding. PCA may affect expression of this protein.