ENDOTOXEMIA FOLLOWING ENTERAL REFEEDING IN CHILDREN

Plasma endotoxin-like activity, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha ) concentrations, core body temperature, and liver functions were meas ured before and after enteral feeding in children who had been deprive d of enteral feeding for 5 days because of their illness, Transient en dotoxemia and elevations in plasma TNF alpha concentrations occurred. Core body temperature, aspartate aminotransferase, alamine aminotransf erase, and bilirubin concentrations were normal in patients who had el evated plasma endotoxin-like activity. Transient endotoxemia following enteral feeding may be due to the translocation from the gastrointest inal (GI) tract as a result of increased mesenteric circulation and pe ristalsis. No clinical consequences were noted despite transient endot oxemia. The transient endotoxemia is not due to the immature GI tract; instead, it results from enteral feeding following the deprivation of enteral feeds.