In CF patients, treated with pancreatic enzymes, a low duodenal pH is thought to be responsible for persisting steatorrhea. In the present study we aimed at improving fat malabsorption and the nutritional status of our CF children by adding a proton pump inhibitor `Lansoprazole' to their usual therapy. All CF children with a fecal acid steatocrit indicating malabsorption(mean of 3 determinations within one month ≥ 25%) were included in the study. 15 CF children with a mean age of 9,5 years and a moderate nutritional status (mean body mass index 15,6), received lansoprazole 15 mg per day for 3 months. Weight, height and 4 skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiaca) were measured just before (T0), direct after (T3) and 3 months after stopping the trial (T6). Fecal fat was monitored by fecal acid steatocrit determination (3 times / month) during the 3 months therapy. In order to evaluate the effect of treatment on body composition, DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) total body scan was done just before and after 3 months of therapy. Weight, height and skinfolds were expressed as Z scores making use of the Dutch growth charts. Results are shown below. After 3 months of treatment acid steatocrit, Z scores of weight, height, sum of the 4 skinfolds, FM and BMC improved significantly while after stopping lansoprazole, weight and subscapular Z-scores significantly deteriorated again. In conclusion, treatment of CF children with lansoprazole results in a parallel improvement of steatorrhea and nutritional condition.Table

Table 1
Full size table