Normal Values of D-Xylose Excretion in Urine after Oral Loading Dose in Children and Adults: A modification of the method of Roe & Rice

Abstract

A modification of the method of Roe and Rice for determining d-xylose in urine is described and discussed. The advantages of the modification are that the analysis takes less time, and that it is more sensitive and accurate. A normal material is presented for the excretion percentage of d-xylose in 24-hour urine in various age groups from 4 years upwards, children up to the age of 15 years having received 0.35 g d-xylose orally per kg, and adults a total of 25 g.

The normal values found were 37.4+11.6 per cent (M±2 s. d.) in the age group 4-6 years, the values falling steadily in older children, where the excretion approaches that of adults, with a value of 28.4±12.2 per cent.

Key Words:

• Xylose
• intestinal absorption