Serum bile acid levels in protracted diarrhea of infancy.

Significant elevations in two glycine-conjugated serum bile acid levels (cholic and chenodeoxycholic) were detected in a majority of infants with intractable diarrhea of infancy. In contrast, children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease had values of serum bile acids within the normal range. Although intravenous alimentation and constant-infusion elemental diet may alter hepatic function, serum bile acid levels were also elevated in other infants with intractable diarrhea not treated by these methods. We hypothesize that endotoxemia or other unknown mechanisms together with therapy are exerting a detrimental effect on hepatic function.