One of the great pediatric problems at the present time is the feeding and treatment of marantic infants. It is true that in recent years since the introduction of concentrated feedings, a much greater degree of success in the treatment of these infants has been obtained than was formerly the case. Quite frequently, however, in spite of the most rational feeding, some of these infants fail to gain in weight and this with no clinical evidence of a gastro-intestinal disturbance. The question arises: Is this inability to gain due to a defective absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract, or to some derangement of the general metabolism of the body?
DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION OF FOOD BY THE MARANTIC INFANT
It is well recognized clinically, that of the three organic constituents of the food, namely, fat, carbohydrate and protein,