Related Experiment Videos
[The fat absorption test in children]
F L Moreira1, H V Maffei, C R Padovani
1Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Campus de Botucatu.
Insights
This study introduces an oral fat loading test using corn oil to assess fat absorption in children. The test effectively identifies malabsorption in children over two years old by measuring serum triglyceride increases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Fecal fat estimation poses challenges in pediatric populations.
- Accurate assessment of fat absorption is crucial for diagnosing malnutrition and malabsorptive disorders in children.
- Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) and specific malabsorptive entities require reliable diagnostic tools.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an oral fat loading test using corn oil for assessing fat absorption in children aged 4 months to 12 years.
- To establish age-specific reference values for serum triglyceride increments following fat administration.
- To differentiate between healthy children and those with malabsorption.
Summary:
- Serum triglycerides (TG) were measured before and 2, 4 hours after oral corn oil administration (2 g/kg) in well-nourished children, those with PCM, and those with specific malabsorptive conditions.
- Infants under 2 years showed no significant TG changes. Children over 2 years demonstrated significant TG absorption by 2 hours, peaking at 4 hours (normal increment >35 mg%).
- The test effectively distinguished between controls and malabsorptive children over 2 years, indicating its applicability in this age group.
Impact:
- The oral fat loading test provides a viable alternative to fecal fat estimations for evaluating fat absorption in children over two years of age.
- This method aids in the diagnosis of malabsorptive disorders, guiding appropriate nutritional and therapeutic interventions.
- Further research is needed to develop suitable protocols for assessing fat absorption in infants under two years old.
Abstract:
To overcome the difficulties observed with fecal fat estimations, we studied fat absorption in 4 m to 12 years old children, assessing increments of serum triglycerides after administration of corn oil. Eighteen well-nourished children without gastrointestinal symptoms or parasites, 31 children with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), with or without protracted diarrhea and/or intestinal parasites and nine children with specific malabsorptive entities were studied. Serum triglycerides (TG) were measured before, 2 and 4 hours after the administration of 2 g/kg of corn oil per os. For control infants below 2 years no significant differences between the fasting level and those after 2 and 4 hours were observed. For children above this age significant absorption occurred by 2 hours but more intensively after 4 hours, an increment of TG above 35 mg% being considered normal. A good discrimination between TG increments of controls and malabsorptive children over 2 years was observed. In conclusion, the oral fat loading test, is applicable for children over 2 year of age. For infants below this age other schedules should be tested.