Abstract
Amniotic fluid (AF) is a bioactive medium containing various trophic factors and other nutrients that are necessary for fetal growth and organogenesis. Many trophic factors present in AF are responsible for the development of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. Development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract is a complex cascade that begins before birth and continues during infancy and childhood by breastfeeding. Many factors, such as genetic preprogramming, local and systemic endocrine secretions, and many trophic factors from swallowed AF, modulate the development and growth of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies are currently examining a potential role of stem cells in AF as a protective agent against the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Preliminary studies suggest that simulated AF may be a possible means of reducing feeding intolerance. In this article, the authors review the various functions of AF and its importance in fetal gastrointestinal tract development. They also examine possible future uses of this extremely important bioactive fluid.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | e367-e376 |
| Journal | NeoReviews |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2016 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Importance of amniotic fluid in gastrointestinal development. / Dasgupta, Soham; Jain, Sunil.
In: NeoReviews, Vol. 17, No. 7, 2016, p. e367-e376.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Importance of amniotic fluid in gastrointestinal development
AU - Dasgupta, Soham
AU - Jain, Sunil
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Amniotic fluid (AF) is a bioactive medium containing various trophic factors and other nutrients that are necessary for fetal growth and organogenesis. Many trophic factors present in AF are responsible for the development of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. Development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract is a complex cascade that begins before birth and continues during infancy and childhood by breastfeeding. Many factors, such as genetic preprogramming, local and systemic endocrine secretions, and many trophic factors from swallowed AF, modulate the development and growth of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies are currently examining a potential role of stem cells in AF as a protective agent against the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Preliminary studies suggest that simulated AF may be a possible means of reducing feeding intolerance. In this article, the authors review the various functions of AF and its importance in fetal gastrointestinal tract development. They also examine possible future uses of this extremely important bioactive fluid.
AB - Amniotic fluid (AF) is a bioactive medium containing various trophic factors and other nutrients that are necessary for fetal growth and organogenesis. Many trophic factors present in AF are responsible for the development of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. Development and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract is a complex cascade that begins before birth and continues during infancy and childhood by breastfeeding. Many factors, such as genetic preprogramming, local and systemic endocrine secretions, and many trophic factors from swallowed AF, modulate the development and growth of the gastrointestinal tract. Studies are currently examining a potential role of stem cells in AF as a protective agent against the development of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Preliminary studies suggest that simulated AF may be a possible means of reducing feeding intolerance. In this article, the authors review the various functions of AF and its importance in fetal gastrointestinal tract development. They also examine possible future uses of this extremely important bioactive fluid.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84977580885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84977580885&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1542/neo.17-7-e367
DO - 10.1542/neo.17-7-e367
M3 - Article
VL - 17
SP - e367-e376
JO - Pediatrics in Review
JF - Pediatrics in Review
SN - 0191-9601
IS - 7
ER -