[Jejunal mucosa in children with mucoviscidosis]

Thirty-eight specimens obtained by jejunal biopsy from 22 children suffering from mucoviscidosis were examined by histochemical techniques. In 27% of the patients the findings were within normal limits. In 18% of cases, associated coeliacal sprue was disclosed. The remaining cases displayed slight morphological abnormalities associated with trehalase and/or lactase deficiency, and in 41% there was hypersecretion of viscous mucus filling up dilated crypts and adhering to the surface of villi. The findings as observed in enterobiopsis are not pathognostic of mucoviscidosis. They however, should make one to think of it, particularly if trehalase and/or lactase deficiency is found associated with hypersecretion of viscous mucus and an almost normal morphological appearance. Neither normal findings nor that of coeliacal sprue exclude the diagnosis of mucoviscidosis. It appears that malabsorption in mucoviscidosis is not only pancreatogenic; the intestinal mucosa may be contributory to a various degree as well.