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  • Title: Comparison of the D-xylose and polyethylene glycol absorption tests as indicators of mucosal damage in infants with chronic diarrhea.
    Author: Lifschitz CH, Shulman RJ, Langston C, Gopalakrishna GS.
    Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr; 1989 Jan; 8(1):47-50. PubMed ID: 2732863.
    Abstract:
    The determination of serum levels of D-xylose and the urinary excretion of an orally administered mixture of low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol were compared to assess their sensitivity to predict small-bowel mucosal damage. Eighteen infants with severe diarrhea and villus atrophy were observed. Results of the D-xylose and polyethylene glycol tests were compared with the villus-to-crypt ratios that were determined from biopsy specimens. The D-xylose test predicted accurately 12 (67%) of the 18 small-bowel biopsy results, while the polyethylene glycol test predicted 14 (78%). However, the McNemar test indicated that the two tests did not differ significantly in their ability to predict an abnormal small-bowel biopsy. We conclude that neither the D-xylose nor the polyethylene glycol test is a reliable indicator of small intestinal mucosal damage in infants with chronic diarrhea.
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