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Fat absorption in persistent diarrhoea using 13C-labelled trioctanoin breath test
K A Abbas1, R Bilal, M I Sajjad
1Children's Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|May 26, 1999
Summary
Persistent diarrhea in children does not significantly impair intestinal fat absorption. A breath test using labeled triglyceride ([13C]trioctanoin) showed similar absorption rates in children with and without persistent diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Persistent diarrhea is a common childhood illness.
- Intestinal fat absorption is crucial for nutrient uptake.
- Understanding fat absorption in persistent diarrhea is important for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate intestinal fat absorption in children with persistent diarrhea.
- To compare fat absorption in children with persistent diarrhea to healthy children.
- To assess the utility of the breath test for evaluating fat malabsorption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the breath test technique for absorption studies.
- Administered labeled triglyceride ([13C]trioctanoin) orally.
- Monitored 13CO2 excretion in breath over 6 hours using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
- Constructed excretion curves and calculated areas under the curve for comparison.
Main Results:
- Peak 13CO2 excretion occurred earlier in children with diarrhea (average 150 min) versus normal children (average 195 min).
- Peak excretion levels and mean areas under the curve were not significantly different between groups.
- Results suggest no significant impairment of medium-chain triglyceride absorption in studied cases.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal absorption of medium-chain triglycerides is not significantly impaired in children with persistent diarrhea.
- The breath test is a viable method for assessing fat absorption in pediatric populations.
- Findings contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of persistent diarrhea.