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Intestinal surface area in infants with acquired monosaccharide intolerance
The Journal of Pediatrics
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Acquired monosaccharide intolerance in infants causes severe diarrhea due to malabsorption. This study found reduced intestinal surface area directly impacts glucose absorption, highlighting a key cause of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Acquired monosaccharide intolerance presents as profuse acidic diarrhea in infants.
- It is characterized by the malabsorption of all carbohydrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between intestinal surface area and glucose absorption in infants with acquired monosaccharide intolerance.
- To understand the pathophysiological basis of carbohydrate malabsorption in this condition.
Main Methods:
- Intestinal perfusion studies to measure glucose absorption in five infants.
- Jejunal biopsies analyzed using light and electron microscopy.
- Quantification of intestinal surface area.
Main Results:
- Significantly decreased glucose absorption and intestinal surface area were observed during the acute phase (P < 0.005).
- Both parameters showed improvement during convalescence.
- A strong linear correlation (r = 0.8757) was found between glucose absorption and intestinal surface area.
Conclusions:
- Loss of intestinal absorptive surface is a primary factor in reduced carbohydrate absorption.
- This surface area loss leads to the characteristic diarrhea in acquired monosaccharide intolerance.
- Findings underscore the importance of intestinal morphology in carbohydrate digestion and absorption.