ABSTRACT
Digestion, Absorption and Metabolism of Ingesta in the Neonate During fetal existence the gut is not entirely inactive. Substances injected into amniotic fluid have been recovered from the fetal circulation, urine and tissues, which is evidence that the fetus is capable of digestion and absorption. Gastrointestinal movements occur in utero, and during the latter part of fetal life the gut is capable of the same order of motor activity as occurs at birth. Peristaltic movements have been demonstrated in animal fetuses, and toward the end of gestation the ingestion of material and its movement along the gut become more pronounced. Hypoxia stimulates gastrointestinal activity, and may lead to excretion of meconium from the fetal gut in utero. Meconium is material derived from desquamated mucosal cells and other organic matter, including bilirubin.
