Blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucagon response to intravenous administration of glucose in premature infants during the first week of life.

Blood glucose, plasma insulin and plasma glucagon were determined during glucose infusion (lg/kg. bw/for 30 min) at 0,30 and 60 min, in 1 to 3 and 7 day infants. No significant differences were observed among average values of the three parameters before and after glucose. Plasma insulin increased slightly in the three groups in infants. Plasma glucagon response to glucose varied widely in the three groups of infants, the reduction of value at 30 min of the test being more evident in 7 day old infants. A significant difference (p less than 0,05) was observed between delta 0-30 average values when 1 day and 7 day infants were compared. These results suggest that the inhibitory mechanism of A-cell activity develops during the first week of life.