The control of the adaptation of the human neonate to postnatal nutrition.

Major changes occur in the function of several physiological systems after birth which enable the neonate to adapt to postnatal nutrition. It is suggested that the secretion of gut and pancreatic hormones in response to enteral feeding has a key role in triggering a cascade of developmental changes in gut structure and function, and in the relation of pancreatic endocrine secretion to intermediary metabolism. Evidence to support this hypothesis is presented.