Fecal Fat Concentration and Excretion in the First 2 Years of Life: a Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES: Data on pancreatic exocrine secretion in the youngest children are scarce. The aim of the study was to determine the range of normal values for fecal fat concentration (FFC) and fecal fat excretion (FFE) in infants and toddlers up to 2 years of age. METHODS: A total of 160 subjects aged 1 to 24 months (8 groups of 20: aged 1-3, 4-6 months, etc) were included in the study. In all children, FFC (%) and FFE (g/day) were assessed in 3-day stool collection. RESULTS: FFC correlated with age (r = -0.50, P < 0.0001). Of infants aged 1 to 3 months 65% had FFC higher than the <5% norm proposed for older children. The values of 90th/95th FFC percentile ranged from 9.7/13.0% at 1 month to 3.1/3.2% at 24 months. FFE did not differ between age groups. It was, however, higher than 4 and 3 g/day in 7.5% and 15.0% infants, respectively. The first detailed nomogram for the assessment of FFC and FFE in children aged 1 to 24 months was created. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy infants may have higher FFC and FFE than older children. We provide reference values, which should allow for both precise and facile FFC and FFE interpretation in clinical practice.