Trophic factors for the gastrointestinal tract

Trophic factors influence the coordinated pre- and postnatal growth and the development of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Systemically as well as enterally administered trophic factors have effects upon the GI tract, several have the potential to be used therapeutically to enhance GI maturation and repair following injury. Gastrointestinal trophic factors in human milk play an important role in regulating the adaptive functional changes which accompany the transition to postnatal enteral feedings.