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Histological studies of small-intestinal biopsies from infants with low rate of weight gain

S P Fällström, B Kristiansson, W Ryd

    Acta Pathologica Et Microbiologica Scandinavica. Section A, Pathology
    |November 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with poor weight gain often have celiac disease (gluten intolerance) or temporary conditions like cow

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Clinical Nutrition
    • Histopathology

    Background:

    • Unsatisfactory weight gain in infants and young children (4-18 months) necessitates investigation for underlying organic diseases.
    • Small-intestinal biopsy is a key diagnostic tool for evaluating mucosal abnormalities contributing to poor weight gain.

    Observation:

    • Eighty-one children aged 4-18 months with poor weight gain underwent small-intestinal biopsy.
    • Sixteen children presented with total villous atrophy, predominantly linked to gluten intolerance.
    • Seven children showed subtotal atrophy, suggesting probable transient conditions like cow's milk protein intolerance.

    Findings:

    • An increased number of inflammatory cells in the mucosa, observed in 18 children, was likely not clinically significant.
    • Planimetric measurements of the mucosal surface/volume ratio demonstrated good correlation with standard histological classifications.
    • A significant correlation was established between the rate of weight gain and the mucosal surface/volume ratio.

    Implications:

    • Small-intestinal biopsy is valuable in diagnosing causes of poor weight gain in children.
    • Gluten intolerance and transient intolerances are significant contributors to villous atrophy.
    • Mucosal morphology, assessed via biopsy and planimetry, correlates with nutritional status and growth rates.

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