[Changes in serotonin-containing EC-cells in the lamina epithelialis mucosae of the small intestine in young children with growth disorders caused by intestinal diseases].

Duodenal jejunal biopsy material from children with growth retardation due to enteric disease was investigated. The disease dependent mucosa types were classified into three groups according to Shmerling (1970). 5-hydroxytryptamine was demonstrated with an impregnation technique and histochemically, as well, in EC-cells in the crypt epithelium. The EC-cell content in specimens with subtotal villus atrophy (type III) was higher significantly compared to normal mucosa (type I). The findings were discussed with regard to the possible role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the pathogenesis of the growth retardation due to enteric disease in children.