[Diagnostic value of jejunal biopsy].

Trying to find out the clinical elements that define the precise indication ofr a jejunal biopsy, 28 children with several pathological conditions were studied. They were 12 cases of kwashiorkor, 11 cases with chronic diarrhea, two cases of chronic pancreatitis, 2 cases with ferropenic anemia resistant to the oral treatment with iron and one case of chilous ascitis. It is concluded that only in those cases in which the biopsy is the precise medium for diagnosis is where it would be indicated, such as intestinal lymphangiectasis or in those cases with signs or evidence of malabsorption without diarrhea. The chronic diarrhea per se does not seem to be a formal indication for biopsy.