<prompt> A 12-year-old girl has a history of recurrent bulky stools and abdominal pain since 3 years of age. She has moderate pallor and her weight and height are below the 3rd percentile. Which of the following are the most appropriate investigations to make a specific diagnosis?Small intestinal biopsyBarium studies24 hours fecal fat estimationUrinary dxylose test  <response>: Clinical profile of the child given in question makes the diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome associated with chronic diarrhoea.Intestinal biopsy is necessary to differentiate chronic diarrhoea due to different pathophysiologic reasons.Work-up of a child suspected to have chronic diarrhoea and malabsorptions includes the following investigations -Repeated stool examination especially for giardia, Fecal fat excretion studies, D-xylose test, Intestinal biopsy, Specific tests e.g. sweat chloride for cystic fibrosis, serology for celiac disease, exocrine pancreatic function. 