Intestinal permeability to [51Cr]EDTA in children with cystic fibrosis

Intestinal permeability was investigated in 14 children with cystic fibrosis making use of [51Cr]EDTA as probe molecule. Ten normal young adults and 11 children served as controls. After oral administration of [51Cr]EDTA, 24 h urine was collected. Urinary radioactivity was calculated and results expressed as percentage of oral dose excreted in 24 h urine. Mean and SEM were as follows: 2.51 +/- 0.21, 2.35 +/- 0.24, and 13.19 +/- 1.72 for control children, normal adults, and cystic fibrosis patients, respectively. The permeability differences between cystic fibrosis patients and either control children or control adults are significant (p less than 0.001)