Applications of Stable Isotopes to Pediatric Nutrition and Gastroenterology

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Abstract
The naturally occurring, nonradioactive, stable isotopes, 2H, 15N, 18O and in particular, 13C, are valuable tracers in studies of pediatric nutrition and gastroenterology. Techniques using these isotopes have been developed for the measurement of digestion, absorption, utilization and excretion of nutrients in premature and term infants and in young children. Compounds labeled with 13C enable quantitative measurements of nutrient oxidation rates and % nutrient malabsorption. Illustrations of these applications are presented in studies of simple and complex carbohydrate metabolism, of medium- and long-chain triglyceride absorption and malabsorption and of bile salt conservation and loss in the neonate. Modular protocols for the determination of nutrient absorption, oxidation and loss now can be applied in longitudinal studies which involve comparisons of diet or which monitor recovery following malnutrition or disease. Instrumentation to be available in the future will simplify isotope ratio determinations and create ready access to the methodologies described.