[Changes in the mast cell content of the lamina propria mucosa of the small intestine in enteral-induced growth disorders in childhood].

Duodenal jejeunal biopsy material from children with growth retardation due to enteric disease was investigated. The disease dependent mucosa types were classified into three groups according to Shmerling (1970). Mucosa types and established histological alterations can be correlated. Toluidine blue staining sections were analyzed morphometrically by light microscopy to study changes in the mucosal mast cells. The mast cell content in specimens with subtotal villal atrophy (type III) was reduced significantly compared to normal mucosa (type I).