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Anemia impairs small intestinal absorption measured by intestinal permeability in children

N Kalach1, P H Benhamou, F Campeotto

  • 1Department of Neonataology-Pediatrics, Cochin-St Vincent de Paul Hospital, Paris cedex 14, France.

European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|March 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Anemia and iron deficiency significantly increase intestinal permeability (IP) in children. This finding impacts the diagnosis of cow

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Intestinal permeability (IP) is a key indicator of gut health.
  • Anemia and iron deficiency are common in children and may affect gut function.
  • Cow's milk allergy (CMA) diagnosis relies on various factors, including gut permeability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between anemia, iron status, and intestinal permeability in children.
  • To assess how these factors influence the interpretation of intestinal permeability tests.
  • To evaluate the diagnostic implications for conditions like cow's milk allergy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 64 children with suspected cow's milk allergy (CMA).
  • Assessed hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), iron (Fe), and ferritin (Fer) levels.
  • Measured intestinal permeability using lactulose (L) and mannitol (M) urinary excretion and the L/M ratio.

Main Results:

  • Children with anemia showed significantly higher L/M ratios compared to non-anemic children (p=0.03).
  • Hemoglobin levels negatively correlated with L/M and L, and positively with M (p<0.05).
  • The L/M ratio negatively correlated with MCV and iron levels (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal permeability is significantly influenced by anemia and iron status in children.
  • Results suggest caution when interpreting intestinal permeability in anemic or iron-deficient children.
  • Anemia and iron deficiency should be considered in the diagnostic workup for CMA.
Abstract

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