The immediate and subsequent effects of handling on the behavioral and physical development of 10 low birth weight infants were studied. The 5 experimental infants were stroked in their isolettes 5 minutes every hour of the day, for 10 days, while the 5 controls were provided with routine nursery care. The handled infants were more active, regained initial birth weights faster and were described as physically healthier in terms of growth and motor development than the controls. Home ratings of intensity and variety of stimulation were also higher for the handled infants at between 7 and 8 months of age.

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ExtractGlucuronide conjugation of bilirubin in mammalian liver is catalyzed by the microsomal enzyme uridine phosphoglucuronyltransferase (UDPGT). Enzymic activity as measured in vitro is low in the young of many species. The present study was designed to determine whether UDPGT activity could be modified in adult, young, and newborn animals. Following intraperitoneal injection of saline and sodium barbital in control and experimental mice, respectively, for three consecutive days, the UDPGT activity in liver homogenates was measured on the fourth day. A significant increase in the enzyme activity was found in all ages. Results (^g bilirubin conjugated/g protein/20 min) include: newborn of dam treated during pregnancy, 96, vs control, 38; 4 days of age, treated (3 groups with 3 different levels of barbiturate for 3 days) 240, 362, and 533, vs control, 186; adult (treated) 181 vs control, 103. These increases were not influenced by adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy, or orchiectomy.Rabbits also responded with a similar increase in UDPGT activity after pretreatment with phenobarbital given by subcutaneous injection and were utilized in clearance studies. In adult rabbits, following rapid intravenous infusion of bilirubin (8 mg/kg), an enhancement in excretion into bile and an increase in bile flow were observed. Bile flow (/A bile/100 g body weight/min) increased in adult animals following treatment: 2-3 vs control of 1 -2. Total bilirubin excreted as a percent of the infused load was: treated, 76 % vs control, 33 %. In young rabbits, disappearance of bilirubin from serum was faster in the phenobarbital-pretreated animals than in controls. The excretion of bilirubin (A bilirubin mg/100 ml serum) in newborn animals was: treated, 3.01; untreated, 1.13. In 4-day-old animals, the excretion was: treated, 3.89 vs controls, 2.61.It is proposed that several mechanisms may be responsible for the barbiturate effect and they may participate differently at various ages.