ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: We have compared, using non protein RQ method, energy expenditures of diarrheic patients with intraperitoneal or intraluminal suppuration and feed enterally (group II) or intravenously (group III). Five non suppurative diarrheic patients feed enterally were studied as control (group I). Carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were not significantly different in the 3 groups of patients. Patients of group II metabolized significantly less of carbohydrate (p less than 0.01) and more of fat (P less than 0.01) than groups I and III patients. Carbohydrate and fat expenditures of patients of groups I and III were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: 1) There is a possible trouble of carbohydrate absorption in suppurative diarrheic patients. 2) Therefore caloric intake must be preferably parenteral in these patients.