Cholestasis in late metabolic acidosis of prematurely born infants.

Serum concentrations of bile acids and tyrosine were determined in 14 premature infants with late metabolic acidosis and in 13 comparable controls without acidosis (protein intake 2 g/kg X d). At the same time the bile acids and the catalytic activity concentrations of lipase and trypsin were estimated in the duodenal juice. The daily faecal excretion and the percentage of fat eliminated were measured. In 8 patients with late metabolic acidosis the duodenal studies were repeated one week after late metabolic acidosis. Infants with late metabolic acidosis showed significantly higher concentrations of bile acids and tyrosine in the serum than the controls (p less than 0.0005). In the duodenal juice the activities of lipase and trypsin and the concentration of bile acids--especially of dihydroxy bile acids--were decreased (p less than 0.001). The faecal excretion during late metabolic acidosis was significantly increased, with high percentage of fat. Eight days after late metabolic acidosis all duodenal parameters equalled the range of the control group. The relations between acidosis, cholestasis, and amino acid transport to the liver are discussed.