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Test Overview
Clinitest.
Testing for reducing substances in stool is used in diagnosing the cause of diarrhea in children. Increased reducing substances in stool are consistent with primary or secondary disaccharidase deficiency and intestinal monosaccharide malabsorption. Similar intestinal absorption deficiencies are associated with short bowel syndrome and necrotizing enterocolitis. Stool reducing substances is also helpful in diagnosing between osmotic diarrhea caused by abnormal excretion of various sugars as opposed to diarrhea caused by viruses and parasites.
Negative. A result of 0.25% to 0.5% is suspicious for a carbohydrate absorption abnormality, >= 0.75% is abnormal.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Specimen Requirements
Collect liquid stool in a plastic urine container or screw top stool container. Refrigerate. Do not collect and dispense from disposable diaper; stool liquid (which would be absorbed in diaper) is most important part of sample. Formed stool not acceptable.