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[Failure to thrive in young children--disorders of carbohydrate absorption?]

T Richter1, F Chaaban, D Müller

  • 1Abteilung für Gastroenterologie und Ernährung, Universitätskinderklinik, Leipzig.

Kinderarztliche Praxis
|October 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Formerly hypotrophic newborns with growth failure showed impaired carbohydrate digestion and absorption, similar to celiac disease patients. This may explain their poor growth despite normal intestinal structure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Human Physiology

Context:

  • Failure to grow in infancy is a significant concern in pediatric health.
  • Hypotrophic newborns, defined by low birth weight, are at risk for subsequent growth issues.
  • Celiac disease presents with malabsorption, offering a comparison for growth failure mechanisms.

Purpose:

  • To investigate carbohydrate digestion and absorption in formerly hypotrophic newborns with infantile growth failure.
  • To compare these digestive and absorptive rates to those observed in children with active celiac disease.
  • To determine if impaired carbohydrate metabolism contributes to failure to grow in this population.

Summary:

  • Thirty-one formerly hypotrophic newborns with failure to grow were studied.
  • Segmental small intestinal perfusion assessed carbohydrate digestion and absorption rates.
  • Impaired glucose absorption and reduced lactose/sucrose hydrolysis were observed in a significant subset, comparable to celiac disease patients, despite normal intestinal mucosa.

Impact:

  • Identifies a potential mechanism for failure to grow in formerly hypotrophic infants.
  • Suggests that carbohydrate malabsorption should be considered in the diagnostic workup of these children.
  • Highlights the importance of assessing digestive function in infants with persistent growth issues.

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