In 100 patients with cystic fibrosis the severity of steatorrhoea was assessed by three separate methods. Using chemical faecal fat assay as the gold standard, two other rapid and inexpensive methods were compared with it. The steatocrit method proved unreliable in our hands and gave little indication of the presence or severity of steatorrhoea. The more simple microscopy method was highly sensitive (97%) and only three of 80 patients with steatorrhoea were missed. All patients with severe steatorrhoea (>60 mmol fat/day) were clearly demonstrated. The method is applicable to spot faecal samples and can readily be carried out on an outpatient basis. In centres where faecal fat assays are not available, the simple and cheap microscopic examination will give some indication of the response to enzyme treatment and may also help to identify non-compliant individuals.

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Aim-To evaluate long term detailed pancreatic endocrine and exocrine function in children with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia of infancy (PHHI) after 85-95% pancreatectomy. Methods-Six children with PHHI between 0.9 and 12.7 years after pancreatic resection underwent clinical and investigative follow up at 1.0 to 14.9 years of age. One child with PHHI who had not had pancreatectomy was also assessed. Standard endocrine assessment, pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and detailed direct and indirect tests of exocrine pancreatic function were performed. Results-Pancreozymin-secretin stimulation test results were normal in only one child, borderline in two, and deficient in four, one of whom requires daily pancreatic enzyme supplements. Pancreolauryl tests performed in three children were borderline in two and abnormal in the other. Only one child had low faecal chymotrypsin values. One child developed insulin dependent diabetes at 9 years and two children at 1.0 and 13.3 years require diazoxide to maintain normoglycaemia. MRI showed no major regrowth of the pancreatic remnant after resection (n = 5). Conclusions-Clinical evidence of endocrine or exocrine dysfunction has developed in only two patients to date, but detailed pancreatic function testing suggests subclinical deficiency in all but one of our patients with PHHI. Although 95% pancreatectomy results in postoperative control of blood glucose, subclinical pancreatic insuYciency is present on long term follow up and development of diabetes mellitus and exocrine failure remain ongoing risks. (Arch Dis Child 1998;79:435-439)

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