Digestion in the newborn

This article discusses the enzymes active in the digestion of the major nutrients. Activity levels of digestive enzymes are compared between infant and adult. Emphasis is placed on specific compensatory mechanisms that operate during the physiologic pancreatic insufficiency of the newborn (such as fat digestion in the stomach by gastric lipase, and the role of milk bile salt dependent lipase and amylase in the digestion of fat and carbohydrate).