Effects of Ghrelin on the perinatal neonates / 国际儿科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Ghrelin is a kind of brain-gut peptides,which integrates the body's digestive function and energy metabolism in the brain-gut axis.Recent studies showed that Ghrelin can be detected in breast milk.It is increasingly becoming the focus that Ghrelin from both maternal and perinatal neonates has special biological effects on the growth and development of newborns.such as stimulating the growth of fetal skin cells and the formation of bone,helping the catch-up growth of intrauterine growth restriction fetus after birth, regulating the glucose metabolism and promoting the fat synthesis of premature infants,and improving the maturation of neonatal immune system.This paper reviews the structure and physiological function of Ghrelin.as well as its effects on the neonatal growth and body weight regulation.