DISACCHARIDASE DEFICIENCIES WITH STEATORRHEA

Intestinal disaccharide enzyme deficiencies of either lactase, maltase, or sucrase with concomitant isomaltase deficiency have recently been recognized. These deficiency states have not usually been associated with steatorrhea. Evidence is here presented for the association of lactase, sucrase, and isomaltase deficiency with steatorrhea and failure to thrive in a young infant. Restriction of disaccharide intake resulted in improvement in weight gain and disappearance of the steatorrhea. At present the child is gaining weight slowly.