Lack of correlation of small bowel biopsy and clinical course of patients with intractable diarrhea of infancy.

To assess the value of small bowel biopsy in determining the prognosis of intractable diarrhea of infancy, small bowel biopsy specimens of 19 infants with this disorder were examined blindly, and a score reflective of the severity of injury for each biopsy specimen was derived. Biopsy scores were correlated with the duration of nutrition support required in the treatment of each patient. No correlation could be found between the severity of the small bowel mucosal injury on biopsy and the clinical course of the patient. Small bowel biopsies are not likely to be of assistance in determining the prognosis of this disorder and should not be used to determine therapy or to advise parents concerning the likely duration of intractable diarrhea of infancy.