Drozdowski LA, Clandinin T, Thomson AB. Ontogeny, growth and development of the small intestine: Understanding pediatric gastroenterology. World J Gastroenterol 2010; 16(7): 787-799 [PMID: 20143457 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i7.787]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Dr. Alan BR Thomson, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada. alan.thomson@ualberta.ca
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Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 21, 2010; 16(7): 787-799 Published online Feb 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i7.787
Ontogeny, growth and development of the small intestine: Understanding pediatric gastroenterology
Laurie A Drozdowski, Tom Clandinin, Alan BR Thomson
Laurie A Drozdowski, Medical Affairs, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5N4, Canada
Tom Clandinin, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
Alan BR Thomson, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada
Author contributions: Drozdowski LA and Thomson ABR were involved in the initial and final literature searches, and the selection of the most important, relevant and clinically impactful papers for inclusion; all three authors assisted in drafting and revising the paper, thereby providing essential intellectual content; all three authors approved the submission of the final version of manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Alan BR Thomson, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Alberta, T6G 2B7, Canada. alan.thomson@ualberta.ca
Telephone: +1-780-4928154 Fax: +1-780-4927964
Received: November 8, 2009 Revised: December 24, 2009 Accepted: December 31, 2009 Published online: February 21, 2010
Abstract
Throughout our lifetime, the intestine changes. Some alterations in its form and function may be genetically determined, and some are the result of adaptation to diet, temperature, or stress. The critical period programming of the intestine can be modified, such as from subtle differences in the types and ratios of n3:m6 fatty acids in the diet of the pregnant mother, or in the diet of the weanlings. This early forced adaptation may persist in later life, such as the unwanted increased intestinal absorption of sugars, fatty acids and cholesterol. Thus, the ontogeny, early growth and development of the intestine is important for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.
