Spectrum of malabsorption syndrome in north Indian children.
OBJECTIVE
To know the spectrum of malabsorption syndrome (MAS) in infants and children and highlight agewise differences in etiology in different age groups.


METHODS
137 children presenting with diarrhea of more than 3 weeks' duration and/or growth failure and abnormality of one of more tests of malabsorption were studied. Etiology of MAS was determined using investigations specific for each of the causes.


RESULTS
Sixty two (45%) children were below 2 years of age and 75 (55%) above. Common causes of MAS were: protracted diarrhea 45 (33%), celiac disease 35 (26%), parasitic infestations 13 (9%), milk protein intolerance 8 (6%), intestinal tuberculosis 7 (5%). In 18 (13%) patients, cause of MAS could not be determined. Protracted diarrhea (73%) and milk protein intolerance (13%) constituted the major etiology of MAS in children below 2 years of age, whereas celiac disease (43%), parasitic infestations (15%) and intestinal tuberculosis (9%) were the common causes in children above 2 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
The spectrum of MAS in Indian children in different age groups is distinctly different from that seen in developed countries.
Yachha
S K
SK
Department of Gastroenterology, Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh.
Misra
S
S
Malik
A K
AK
Nagi
B
B
Mehta
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant