Stool Reducing Sugars
This test should only be ordered in children with short bowel syndrome to differentiate the source of diarrhea. What does the test tell me? When should I order this test? When should I NOT order this test? How should I interpret the result? Is the test result diagnostic/confirmatory of the condition? If not, is there a diagnostic/confirmatory test? Are there factors that can affect the lab result? Are there considerations for special populations? What other test(s) might be indicated? What does the test tell me? An abnormal test result only suggests that the small intestine is not able to metabolize and absorb sugars, resulting in osmotic diarrhea as a symptom. The test uses Benedict's reaction, in which cupric ions are reduced to cuprous ions while sugar molecules in stool are oxidized. The result is a color change from blue to red that correlates with the amount of sugar present. Reducing sugars include certain disaccharides (lactose, galactose, and maltose) and monosaccharides (e.g., Glyco Carescinnamon glucose support and fructose).
Although sucrose is not a reducing sugar, it is often metabolized by bacteria to Glyco Care glucose support and fructose. The reaction is not specific for sugars. Certain compounds (e.g., antibiotics with thiols, aldehydes, and ketones) can produce false-positive results. False-positive results are often seen in normal, healthy infants and neonates. When should I order this test? In very limited cases, stool reducing sugars may be helpful for children with short bowel syndrome to evaluate the relationship between dietary sugar ingestion and diarrhea. When should I NOT order this test? How should I interpret the result? A positive stool reducing sugars result is potentially due to a primary cause, such as a rare inborn error of metabolism (i.e., disaccharidase deficiency or monosaccharide transporter deficiency). Additionally, secondary, or acquired, causes may be due to injury of small intestinal villi from infection, surgery, autoimmune disease, drugs, or severe malnutrition. Is the test result diagnostic/confirmatory of the condition?
If not, is there a diagnostic/confirmatory test? No studies have demonstrated that detection of stool reducing sugars is an adequate screening test for primary or secondary causes of sugar malabsorption in children from resource-rich countries. Potential tests for the work-up of chronic, watery diarrhea in children should be selected based on clinical history and include: gastrointestinal viral/bacterial/parasitic panels, stool culture, lactose tolerance test, celiac disease testing, and tissue disaccharidase assay from intestinal biopsy. Are there factors that can affect the lab result? This test is only valid if the sugar has been recently ingested, intestinal transit time is rapid, fresh stools are collected and immediately refrigerated/frozen to prevent bacterial degradation of the sugar, and the water portion of the stool is collected in the container (not absorbed into the diaper). If these conditions are not met, then the result may be a false negative. Are there considerations for special populations? This test is potentially useful for children with short bowel syndrome.
These children may need to be challenged with increased enteral nutrition for growth and development. Stool reducing sugars results might be helpful in assessing carbohydrate overload after increasing the rate or concentration of formula. What other tests might be indicated? If an inborn error of metabolism is suspected (disaccharide deficiency or monosaccharide transporter deficiency), refer the patient to biochemical geneticist for appropriate challenge test or gastroenterologist for small intestinal biopsy. Counahan, R.; Walker-Smith, J. Stool and urinary sugars in normal neonates. Davidson, A. G.; Mullinger, M., Reducing substances in neonatal stools detected by Clinitest. Brenn, M.; Gura, K. M.; Duggan, C., Chapter 28 - Intestinal failure. In Manual of Pediatric Nutrition, 5th ed.; Sonneville, K.; Duggan, C., Eds. Pinheiro, J. M.; Clark, D. A.; Benjamin, K. G. A critical analysis of the routine testing of newborn stools for occult blood and reducing substances. Gracey, M.; Burke, V., Sugar-induced diarrhoea in children. Krom, F. A.; Frank, C. G., Clinitesting neonatal stools. As the fields of laboratory medicine and diagnostic testing continue to grow at an incredible rate, the knowledge and expertise of clinical laboratory professionals is essential to ensure that patients receive the highest quality and most useful laboratory tests. ADLM’s Academy and Science and Practice Core Committee have developed a test utilization resource focusing on commonly misused tests in hospitals and clinics. Improper test utilization can result in poor patient outcomes and waste in the healthcare system. This important resource geared toward medical professionals recommends better tests and diagnostic practices. Always consult your laboratory director to make sure these recommendations are appropriate for your patient population.
How Big Do Mastiffs Get? One crucial factor to consider before getting a dog (especially a big one), is to consider how big they could potentially grow. This is vital because you’ll need to know whether you will have enough room for the dog in your apartment or on your couch. So, considering getting the good-natured Mastiff? Is your furniture strong enough to hold up these black giants? How big does a full-grown Mastiff get? The size of the Mastiff is what you’d call sexually dimorphic, which refers to a difference between the weight and height of males and females. Males will be 27 - 30 inches (68.6 - 76.2 cm) in height and 160 - 230 pounds (72.6 - 104.3 kg) in weight, while the females will be around 25 - 27.5 inches (63.5 - 69.9 cm) in height and 120 - 170 pounds (54.4 - 77.1 kg) in weight. The purpose of this article is to give you an in-depth idea of what to expect in respect to your Mastiff’s size, the various factors that affect how big they could grow, and other vital size-related details.
