11.   A small intestinal biopsy specimen was obtained in another only when diarrhoes developed.

12.   These findings almost certainly reflect an increased awareness of coeliac disease in recent years and the greater use of fibre optic endoscopes to obtain small intestinal biopsy specimens.

13.   A mild to moderate enteropathy was present in all nine children undergoing a small intestinal biopsy and seven showed the presence of Cryptosporidium adhering to villous epithelium.

14.   In nine patients with chronic diarrhoea and severe failure to thrive a proximal small intestinal biopsy was done using a pediatric twin port biopsy capsule after obtaining informed consent.

15.   Nine patients with Cryptosporidium, chronic diarrhoea and severe failure to thrive had a proximal small intestinal biopsy performed.

16.   Four of the nine patients requiring a small intestinal biopsy had impaired linear growth emphasising the potential serious effects of this illness.

17.   Full thickness intestinal biopsy specimens were obtained in eight of the children.

18.   We and others have described the histological characteristics of full thickness intestinal biopsies in patients with visceral myopathy and neuropathy.