Diagnostic test meal in childhood enteropathy using simultaneous carbohydrate and fat loading.

The diagnostic value of a combined test meal consisting of glucose, D-xylose and dairy cream was studied in 230 infants and children with gastrointestinal symptoms. The simultaneous absorption of the three compounds was rated according to their serum concentrations at different times 0-240 min after intake and compared to the histological changes of jejunal biopsy specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the simultaneous loading test had higher specificity and sensitivity than D-xylose alone in patients with subtotal villous atrophy.