Anomalies of Intestinal Absorption of Fat: 1. The Determination and Significance of Faecal Fat

Fat Metabolism and the Sprue Syndrome

“…There is no satisfactory evidence of a direct relation between these vitamins and the fat-absorption mechanism (Frazer, 1947b). The signs of these deficiencies can be dramatically relieved without any effect on the fat-absorption defect (Cooke et al, 1946). Classical cases of deficiency of these vitamins may occur with normal fat absorption.…”

“…General Aspects of Fat Absorption.-The quantity of fat absorbed must be determined by the use of a fat-balance technique (Cooke et al, 1946). More recently the method of de Kamer,' Huinick, and Weyers (1949) has been successfully used.…”

Correlation of Radioactive and Chemical Faecal Fat in Different Malabsorption Syndromes

“…method of quantitatively determining faulty assimilation of fat and protein is the balance technique accurately calculating the components in ingested food and chemically determining the residue of the stools (Cooke et al, 1946(Cooke et al, , 1953Wollaeger et al, 1947;Annegers et al, 1948;Comfort et al, 1953 ;Weijers and van de Kamer, 1953;Frazer, 1955;French, 1955;Crowe and Blackburn, 1956;Comfort, 1957;Kalser, 1957). This method has certain disadvantages as a routine clinical diagnostic aid in that it is time-consuming, laborious, and expensive, requiring a metabolic ward and three to five days for the collection of stools.…”

Steatorrhoea

“…Under certain circumstances the fat is present as glycerides instead of fatty acids. This usually indicates faulty pancreatic lipolysis, but extensive hydrolysis of faecal fat may occur in the absence of pancreatic lipase (Cooke et al, 1946).…”

“…The pupils of the last, though from bad environments and with lower intelligence levels initially, were plainly superior to those of the other two in both intelligence and personality development in the higher classes. It is generally agreed that the amount of fat in the faeces should not be greater than 10% of the amount of fat ingested each day (Cooke et al, 1946). Steatorrhoea is the term used when this amount is exceeded.…”