title: The fatty meal test: an alternative to stool fat analysis.
abstract: In view of the technical difficulties inherent in using stool fat estimations as a parameter of malabsorption, we used a fatty meal absorption test. Children under investigation for failure to thrive were divided into two groups, those having a normal stool fat output (less than 3.2 g/day) constituting the control group, and those having steatorrhea. After a fatty meal containing 25 g of margarine and 25 g of butter fat, we measured the rise of serum triglycerides and chylomicrons hourly for 5 h. Serum triglyceride rise of less than 100 mg/dl or less than 100% above basal values and the appearance of less than 7% of chylomicrons were considered pathological. Of our control group 95% had a normal rise of triglycerides; and 96% of our patients with steatorrhea had an abnormal rise. This test was more reliable than the two-point triglyceride test previously described for the diagnosis of fat malabsorption. The fatty meal test as described here is considered to be a useful test of absorptive function.
mesh_terms: D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002914:Chylomicrons / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002914:Chylomicrons; D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides