Chem Path: Diarrheal diseases in adults and children

Question 1

What are carbohydrates metabolized into?

Answer 1

Disaccharides and monosaccharides

Question 2

What are proteins metabolism into.

Answer 2

Proteins are broken down into Amino acids by processed and peptidases.

Question 3

What are fats metabolized into?

Answer 3

Micelles

Question 4

What are the 2 types of diarrhea:

Answer 4

1. Secretory diarrhea

2. Osmotic diarrhea

Question 5

Define secretory diarrhea:

Answer 5

Increased secretion of fluid and electrolytes into the gut lumen.
Contains: 
  - Potassium
  - Sodium 
  - Bicarbonate

Question 6

Define osmotic diarrhea:

Answer 6

Poorly absorbed material drawing excess fluid with osmotic activity holding excess fluid in the gut lumen.
Osmotically active particles will be present in osmotic diarrhea

Question 7

Name 6 causes of diarrhea in children

Answer 7

1. Infection
2. Surgical conditions
3. Immunodeficiency
4. Spurious diarrhea
5. Side effects of medication
6. Primary GIT Pathologies

Question 8

Explain the 6 causes of diarrhea in children

Answer 8

Infection outside of the GIT

• I.e Meningitis and UTI
  2. Surgical conditions
• Intussusception and malrotation
  3. Immunodeficiency
• HIV disease.
  4. Spurious diarrhea
• Faecal impaction with overflow.
  5. Side effects of medication
• Antibiotics
  6. Primary GIT pathology
• Cystic fibrosis, IBS

Question 9

What is the osmotic particle measurement difference between secretory and osmotic diarrhea

Answer 9

Secretory diarrhea
< 50 mOsm/kg
Osmotic diarrhea
> 100mOsm/kg

Question 10

What lab tests are for chronic diarrhea diagnosis?

Answer 10

FBC
Sweat test
Folate, Vit B12
Stool analysis 
  - Faecal blood 
  - Faecal fat suggesting fat malabsorption.
  - Faecal MC+S for ova