Conclusions
In children with CSID, starch digestion may be impaired. In children with CSID, starch digestion correlates well with measures of sucrase activity.
Methods
C-Labled starch was used as a test BT substrate in children with CSID. Sucrase deficiency was previously documented in study subjects by both duodenal biopsy enzyme assays and C-sucrose BT. Breath CO2 was quantitated at intervals before and after serial C-substrate loads (glucose followed 75 minutes later by starch). Variations in metabolism were normalized against C-glucose BT (coefficient of glucose absorption). Control subjects consisted of healthy family members and a group of children with functional abdominal pain with biopsy-proven sucrase sufficiency.
Results
Children with CSID had a significant reduction of C-starch digestion mirroring that of their duodenal sucrase and maltase activity and C-sucrase BT. Conclusions: In children with CSID, starch digestion may be impaired. In children with CSID, starch digestion correlates well with measures of sucrase activity.