[Bile acids and malabsorption; physiology, pathology and diagnosis].

Disturbances of the excretion and reabsorption of bile acids are discussed. Disturbances in bile acid metabolism can be found after terminal ileum resections, in contaminated small bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease localized in terminal ileum, ileostoma, non-specific diarrhoea of infancy, bulky small bowel contents, coeliac disease, cystic fibrosis, prematurity, intra- and extrabiliary obstruction. They can cause or increase malabsorption. Total bile acid and cholylglycine in serum and duodenal fluid can be used in diagnosing malabsorption. Estimation of serum bile acids and triglycerides after an oral fat loading test may provide information about the localization of small intestinal dysfunction.