On the basis of comparative determinations of the activities of dipeptidases and disaccharidases of the mucous membrane of the small intestine (proximal jejunum) clear correspondences between the morphological findings and the biochemical parameters were the result. L-alanyl-L-prolin-dipeptidase and glycyl-L-valin-dipeptidase as well as lactase, saccharase, maltase and trehalase were determined in altogether 45 children with various malabsorption syndromes of different age in different stages of disease. Diminutions of the activity of the dipeptidases were to be proved analogously to maltase, saccharase and lactase, too, in most cases of subtotal or total villous atrophy. From the results conclusions may be derived to the restricted ability of protein absorption in chronic disease of the small intestine.