D-Lactic acidosis in a boy with short bowel syndrome.

Abstract

Metabolic acidosis in a 3-yr-old child with short bowel syndrome led to the discovery of massive D-lactic aciduria. After normalization of the intestinal bacterial flora, D-lactate disappeared together with the acidosis. Dysbacteriosis with excessive production of D-lactate by intestinal bacteria (unidentified) and subsequent absorption explains this unusual cause of metabolic acidosis.