What do we know about gastrointestinal tract development in intrauterine growth retarded neonates?

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a worldwide problem. In Poland 6% children every year are given birth with IUGR symptoms. In order to classify offspring as IUGR, three conditions must be fulfilled: low birth weight, fast compensation for weight loss, and in consequence excessive fat content in the body. There are many papers about connection between IUGR and development of so called civilization diseases in adults. Different protein level content and incorrect energetic balance of the diet of pregnant mothers is considered a main reason of IUGR. Surprisingly, there is nearly no data on gastrointestinal tract development in IUGR newborns. Our preliminary data suggest that in IUGR fetuses the gastrointestinal tract development is different from that in normal fetuses leading to disturbances in e.g. closing intestinal barrier and absorption which might explain further health disturbances. Better understanding of these processes will help to elaborate nutrition programs that will reduce the consequences of IUGR.