A stool test performed to confirm the diagnosis of steatorrhea.

Steatorrhea is the presence of greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces which are frothy and foul smelling and floating; a symptom of disorders of fat metabolism and malabsorption syndrome caused by disease of the intestinal mucosa or pancreatic enzyme deficiency.

Malabsorption syndrome refers to any of a group of disorders marked by subnormal intestinal absorption of dietary constituents, and causing excessive loss of nutrients in the feces.

It may be due to a digestive defect, a mucosal abnormality, or lymphatic obstruction.