Intestinal permeability during chemotherapy for childhood tumours.

The intestinal permeability to mannitol and lactulose was measured in 29 children receiving treatment for solid tumours. At the time of study they had no gastrointestinal symptoms and appeared clinically well. However, there was a significant reduction in the absorption of mannitol when compared to normal children. This small bowel dysfunction may result in malabsorption of nutrients and drugs. There was a significant correlation between decreased mannitol absorption and low nutritional status.