Chapter 8.1. Anatomical and Physiological Features of Digestion (P2)

1. Stomach

• Gastric pH:

• Breastfed infants: 2.8 – 3.8 (C)

• Older children: 1.5 – 2 (D)

• Gastric juice:

• Pepsin:

• Starts secreting from week 16 of gestation (C)

• Converts Protein into Albumose and Pepton (D)

• Optimal activity at pH: 1.8 – 2.2 (B)

• Labfement:

• Facilitates digestion and casein coagulation in milk

• Optimal activity at pH: 6 – 6.5 (C)

• Gastric lipase:

• Different from pancreatic lipase

• Only acts on emulsified fats

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (E)

• Stomach absorption:

• Breastfed infants:

• Absorb 25% of milk (D)

• Breast milk stays in the stomach for 2 – 2.5 hours (B)

• Cow’s milk fed infants:

• Cow’s milk stays in the stomach for 3 – 4 hours (C)

• Absorb a small amount of sugar, minerals, some water and dissolved protein (D)

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (E)

2. Intestine

• Characteristics:

• Rapid development in the first 3 years and maturation in the 4th year (D)

• Longer than adults in proportion to body length (B)

• Average length = Sitting height * 10 (C)

• Children < 1 year old, vermiform appendix is funnel-shaped, develops rapidly, located behind the cecum => Difficult to identify appendicitis (D)

• Rectum is relatively long, loose connective tissue => Prone to prolapse with excessive straining (A)

• Sigmoid colon is relatively long, curved and convoluted (B)

• Mesentery is relatively long, cecum is short and mobile (C)

• Muscle layer in the intestine is not fully developed (D)

• Intestinal enzyme function:

• Lactase: Present in full-term newborns, preterm infants depend on lactose supplementation (A)

• a-Glucosidase (Saccharose, isomaltase, Glucoamylase): Present from the 4th month of gestation and has adult activity at birth (B)

• Average intestinal Transit Time: 12 – 16 hours (C)

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (D)

• (E) a-Glucosidase system includes the following enzymes, except: Lactase (B)

• Gut microbiota:

• After birth 10 – 20 hours the intestine has bacteria (B)

• Functions:

• Digests protein, lipids, and sugars (A)

• Produces vitamin K, B (B)

• Stimulates the body’s immune response (C)

• Produces substances that inhibit bacteria => inhibits bacterial adhesion (D)

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (E)

• Intestinal juice:

• Color: Yellowish or colorless (D)

• Components: Enterokinase, Erepsin, Amylase, Lipase, Maltase (A, B, C, E, F)

• Secretion is influenced by: HCl, soap, bile acid (A, B, D)

3. Stool:

• Excreted 6 – 12 hours after birth (B)

4. Infant stool:

• < 1 week: 4 – 5 times/day (B)

• > 1 week: 2 – 3 times/day (D)

• 1 year old: 1 time/day (A)

5. Pancreas:

• Characteristics:

• Newborn: Smaller than adults 23 – 30 times (D)

• 5 – 6 years old has a shape similar to adults (B)

• Function is relatively developed and functions well after birth (C)

• Enzymes are similar to adults but less (D)

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (E)

• Pancreatic enzymes:

• Lipase: Less in preterm infants (A)

• Trypsin: In newborns = 1/10 of 1-year-olds (B)

• Amylase:

• Appears in the last weeks of gestation (C)

• Active at 3 months of age (D)

• Mature at 3 years of age (E)

• Conclusion: All of the above are correct (F)

6. Liver:

• Characteristics:

• Liver weight = 4.4% Body weight (C)

• Weight:

• Doubles at 10 months (D)

• Triples at 3 years old (C)

• Children < 1 year old: Liver may be palpable 1 – 2 cm (D)

• Liver structure is complete at 8 years old (C)

• Liver grows fastest during puberty (E)

• Liver of children < 8 years old suffers from fatty degeneration when poisoned (A)

• Bile:

• Children secrete bile at 2 – 3 months of gestation (B)

• Bile in children contains less bile acid (B)

Note:

• The information presented may vary depending on the source and the child’s age.

• Correct answers are marked >>

Addition:

• The article can be supplemented with information on digestive diseases in children, such as:

• Gastroenteritis

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Malnutrition

• Jaundice

• Liver disease

• In addition, the article can provide additional information on nutrition for children, such as:

• Age-appropriate diet

• Foods that children should and should not eat

• How to cook for children

• Benefits of breastfeeding

Conclusion:

The article has provided comprehensive and detailed information on the anatomical and physiological features of digestion in children, helping readers better understand the development and function of the digestive system during this period.