Elevated short chain fatty acid concentrations in anaerobic small bowel contamination

Viable bacteria were identified and counted, and short chain fatty acid concentrations measured in small intestinal fluid from 74 fasting children. In nine children with anaerobic small bowel contamination, individual and total short chain fatty acid concentrations were significantly higher than the remainder of the group (p less than 0.01). Using 100 mumol/l as the upper reference limit for total short chain fatty acid concentration, the sensitivity and specificity as a test for anaerobic small bowel contamination was 89% and 98%, respectively. Measuring luminal short chain fatty acid concentrations in proximal small intestinal fluid is an accurate method for detecting anaerobic small bowel contamination in children.