Tropical sprue

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

• Diarrhea, worse on high-fat diet
• Indigestion
• Excessive flatus (gas)
• Abdominal cramps
• Weight loss
• Paleness
• Irritability
• Numbness
• Muscle cramps

In children, sprue most often presents with growth failure and delayed skeletal maturation.

• Small bowel biopsy showing findings of tropical sprue (including malabsorption or infection)
• Upper endoscopy and upper GI series are sometimes helpful in the diagnosis
• CBC showing anemia
• Stool showing increased fecal fat
• CHEM 20 showing low amounts of serum calcium , albumin , serum phosphorus , and serum cholesterol

Review Date: 05/04/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.