Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a complex condition characterized by structural damage and inflammation of the intestines, which impairs absorption of nutrients necessary for growth and other functions. EED typically occurs in settings with poor water and sanitary conditions. Its diagnosis is currently based on biopsies of intestinal tissue.
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Environmental Enteric Dysfunction
Application & Literature
A non-invasive stable isotope technique, the 13C-Sucrose Breath Test (13C-SBT) under development measures 13CO2 recovery, following an oral dose of labelled sucrose, which indicates nutrient absorption and serves as a proxy for intestinal brush border integrity and function.
The breath test has a potential to aid our understanding of the link between adverse environmental exposure, especially that related to living in insanitary conditions, and child growth in LMICs to enable the design of interventions for prevention and treatment of EED for improved health.
