Steatorrhea

Abstract

Steatorrhea implies maldigestion, malabsorption and metabolic inadequacy. It is recognized by simple inspection of the stool specimen and quantitative determination of fecal fat. The diagnostic challenge is often to determine whether the steatorrhea is of pancreatic or small bowel origin. The secretin pancreozymin test is recommended for measuring pancreatic function, whereas the D-xylose test reflects the competence of the small bowel. A disaccharide tolerance test is helpful in detecting disaccharidase deficiency.