Spectrum of malabsorption syndrome in north Indian children.

AIMS: 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.

CONCLUSION: The spectrum of MAS in Indian children in different age groups is distinctly different from that seen in developed countries.