Small intestinal mucosal pattern of Myanmar children.

Background: Little is known about the small intestinal mucosal pattern of Myanmar children.

Methods: Duodenal, jejunal and ileal mucosal specimens obtained from children within 6 h of death were examined under a dissecting microscope with the objective of determining villus pattern in relation to site within the small intestine and then correlated with age.

Results: Abnormalities in the small intestinal mucosa were detected at a very young age. In children under 1 year of age, the changes are more marked proximally and become less marked distally, perhaps reflecting exposure to the causative agent(s) in early life. Presumably these agents are ingested orally and inactivated progressively. The pattern in older children reflects more severe changes in the ileum.

Conclusions: It is postulated that frequent intestinal infections or small bowel bacterial contamination could lead to damage of the intestinal mucosa.