<prompt> A patient with steatorrhea has microcytic anemia. The urine excretion of D-Xylose after 25 gm oral D- Xylose is 2.5 gm. He Is suffering from:Celiac sprueChronic pancreatitisTropical sprueIleal resection  <response>: Ans. A. Celiac sprue Malabsorption syndrome affecting proximal intestine will lead to iron, folic acid and calcium deficiency as these nutrients are absorbed from duodenum and jejunum. D xylose is also absorbed from proximal mucosa hence will not be absorbed in conditions affecting proximal mucosa. Celiac sprue predominantly affects proximal intestine. Tropical sprue mainly affects distal intestine. Chronic pancreatitis will not affect mucosa of intestine therefore D xylose test will be normal. 