Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

17.9K

Fecal elastase-1 in healthy children up to 2 years of age: a cross-sectional study

Mirosława Wieczorek-Filipiak1, Sławomira Drzymała-Czyż1, Mariusz Szczepanik1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.

Developmental Period Medicine
|July 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Fecal elastase-1 (E-1) levels are reliable for assessing pancreatic function in infants. However, E-1 concentrations are lower in the first few months of life compared to later in infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Pancreatic Function Testing
  • Infant Nutrition

Background:

  • Fecal elastase-1 (E-1) levels may vary in infants due to gastrointestinal immaturity and diet.
  • Limited data exists on E-1 levels in healthy infants and toddlers.
  • Previous studies focused on preterm infants, older children, adults, and those with malabsorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate fecal E-1 concentrations in healthy infants and children aged 1-24 months.
  • To establish reference values for fecal E-1 in this age group.
  • To determine the reliability of the fecal E-1 test in young children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 160 healthy infants and children aged 1-24 months.
  • Subjects were divided into 8 age groups (20 per group).
  • Fecal E-1 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Fecal E-1 concentrations ranged from 200 to 1695 μg/g, with no levels below 200 μg/g.
  • E-1 levels showed a statistically significant increase with age (p=0.0007), reaching a plateau around 6-10 months.
  • While not significantly different between all groups, levels in the first 3 months were lower than in the second year (p=0.0230).

Conclusions:

  • The fecal E-1 test is a reliable tool for confirming normal exocrine pancreatic function in infants and toddlers.
  • Fecal E-1 concentrations can be lower during the initial months of life.
  • Established reference ranges support the use of fecal E-1 testing in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
exocrine pancreatic functionfecal testhealthy infantspancreatic function test

More Related Videos

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

24.4K
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools11:29

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools

Published on: June 20, 2020

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Cross-Sectional Research01:50

Cross-Sectional Research

In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
12.7K
Finding Volume Using Cross-Sectional Area01:24

Finding Volume Using Cross-Sectional Area

For solids whose cross-sectional areas vary in a predictable way, volume can be determined by integrating these areas along an axis perpendicular to the slices. This approach is particularly useful for polyhedral solids, where classical geometric formulas may not be immediately applicable. A tetrahedron provides a clear example of how cross-sectional integration can be applied to a three-dimensional object with continuously changing geometry.Consider a tetrahedron with height h and a base that...
79
Profile Leveling and Cross Sections01:26

Profile Leveling and Cross Sections

Profile leveling and cross-sections are surveying methods used to determine and document terrain elevations for infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, canals, and pipelines. These methods provide data for earthwork planning and alignment of proposed routes.  Profile leveling involves measuring elevations along a fixed line to create a vertical terrain profile. A surveyor sets up a leveling instrument at the benchmark (BM) and records a backsight (BS) to determine the...
1.7K
Predicting Products: SN1 vs. SN202:27

Predicting Products: SN1 vs. SN2

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of alkyl halides can proceed via an SN1 or an SN2 mechanism. While in SN2 reactions, the nucleophile attacks the substrate simultaneously as the leaving group departs, in SN1 reactions, the substrate first dissociates to give the carbocation intermediate. Various factors such as the structure of the substrate, the strength of the nucleophile, and the nature of the solvent promote one mechanism over the other.
With increased substitution on the alkyl halide,...
17.4K
Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
4.9K
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients01:15

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
160