Idiopathic subclinical enteropathy in southern Iran.

A study of 100 normal subjects from villages in southern Iran revealed that almost one third of this population had one (or more) absorptive or morphological abnormality of the small-bowel mucosa. The finding of morphologically normal bowel mucosa in stillborn fetuses and in newborns who died within two weeks of birth was consistent with the possibility that the abnormalities noted in the village population were postnatally acquired. Finally, speculations are offered regarding the relationship of idiopathic enteropathy and "immunoproliferative small intestinal disease," which is often seen in the region.