ExtractPancreatic response to pancreozymin and secretin stimulations has been studied in premature and full term neonates. The following results have been obtained. (7) At birth premature neonates have a fairly well developed exocrine pancreatic function which is, however, lower than that of full term neonates. (2) One week after birth, exocrine pancreatic activity becomes higher in premature than in full term neonates.(3) Early administration of small amounts of starch stimulates pancreatic a-amylase (EC. 3.3.1.1) production. (4) A high protein diet stimulates increased production of both trypsin (EC. 3.4.4.4) and lipase (EC. 3.1.1.3), whereas a high fat diet alone has no effect on lipase secretion. SpeculationExocrine pancreatic function is fairly well developed in premature neonates from 32-week gestation, although it is less developed at birth than it is in full term neonates and in older infants and children. After birth, the more rapid maturation of the exocrine pancreas function of premature neonates is probably related to the functional demands of a more rapid growth. The rates of maturation of secretion of a-amylase and trypsin increase proportionately to the starch and protein contents of the diet. The use of an appropriate diet therefore seems to be of great importance in regulating the secretions of the exocrine pancreas during the first month of life.

Summary: In 13 subjects affected by β‐thalassaemia major, in three subjects affected by β‐thalassaemia minor and in five normal healthy persons haemoglobin synthesis and the survival of red cells transfused into normal, group compatible, healthy recipients has been studied. The existence of an excess of newly synthesized α‐chains and of a negative correlation between the excess α‐chain and the red‐cell survival has been demonstrated. The harmful role of the α‐chain excess on the erythrocyte and the implications of this finding are discussed.

SUMMARY The total pancreatic outputs and the secretion rates of fluid volume, protein, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were studied after pancreozymin and secretin stimulation in 12 control children and in 5 patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas (CF). Duodenal contents were collected through a double‐balloon, triple‐lumen rubber tube, thus avoiding contamination by gastric juce and distal losses. In CF patients, compared to the normal controls, decreased outputs of fluid volume, protein and electrolytes were found. Secretion rates, calculated per kg body weight and per min of fluid volume protein and electrolytes were analyzed separately for the post‐pancreozymin and the post‐secretin periods. In control children the secretion rates of sodium aad bicarbonate were higher after secretin stimulation, whereas those of protein, calcium, and magnesium were higher after pancreozymin stimulation; secretion rates of fluid volume and potassium did not show any significant difference. In CF patients the secretion rates of sodium, potassium and magnesium were more reduced after secretin whereas those of calcium and protein are more reduced after pancreozymin; the secretion rates of fluid volume and bicarbonate are similarly reduced after both hormonal stimulation. The possible role of a disturbance of the tubular and the acinar secretion of the pancreas in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis is discussed.

ExtractThe pancreatic secretion rates of fluid, protein, Na+, K+, Ca ++ , and HCO 3~ before and after pancreozymin and secretin stimulations have been studied in 25 premature and 12 full term newborn infants. The secretion rates are (with few exceptions) higher in premature than in full term newborn infants. In both groups of subjects at birth the pancreozymin and the secretin stimulations yield an increment of pancreatic secretion rates; differences between the responses to pancreozymin and secretin have been observed but are statistically not significant; a statistically significant differentiated response to each of the two hormones appeared only in premature newborn infants at 1 month of age. SpeculationIn premature and full term newborn infants the exocrine pancreas is functionally unable to distinguish pancreozymin from secretin at birth, but it is able to do so at 1 week of age. A week of adaptation to extrauterine life seems to be necessary in order to obtain a response to hormonal stimulation qualitatively similar to, although quantitatively lower than, that of older infants and children.