SMALL INTESTINAL MUCOSAL FATTY-ACID UPTAKE AND ESTERIFICATION IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Oleic acid uptake and esterification in intact intestinal mucosa were studied in 14 infants and children with chronic non-specific diarrhea, but histologically normal small intestinal mucosal biopsies, using an in vitro technique. The uptake rate was 5.876 + 1.942 nmol fatty acid/mg Nitrogen/ minute and the esterification rate was 4.060 + 1.010 nmol fatty acid/mg Nitrogen/minute, comparable to previous adult esterification studies. No effect of age on either esterification or uptake was present. Mucosal injury resulted in significant reductions in esterification (p < 0.001) and uptake (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Bile acid deficiencies led to reductions in mucosal esterification (p < 0.05) but not uptake. © 1979 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.