THE GASTROINTESTINAL ABSORPTION OF PENICILLIN V IN CHILDREN WITH SUSPECTED COELIAC DISEASE

Abstract

Gastrointestinal absorption of penicillin V (pc-V) was investigated in 6 children, 6-12 mo. old, with suspected celiac disease. The diagnosis was set after small bowel biopsy and absorption tests of vitamin A and d-xylose. Control groups served 7 children with diarrhea but with normal small bowel biopsy and/or absorption tests and a group of 9 children with upper respiratory tract infection of the same ages as the children in the test group. Absorption of calcium pc-V in oil suspension (Penicals) was impaired in patients with suspected celiac disease compared to controls. There was no significantly different absorption of pc-V between control children with diarrhea and those with upper respiratory tract infection. After 6-8 mo. of gluten free diet in the children with suspected celiac disease, their absorptive ability of oral calcium pc-V in suspension form was equal with that of a control group.