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Investigation of small-intestinal transit time in normal and malnourished children
Insights
Orocecal transit time (OCTT) in Myanmar children was measured using a hydrogen breath test. No significant differences in OCTT were found related to sex, feeding status, or malnutrition in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Orocecal transit time (OCTT) is a key indicator of gastrointestinal function.
- Understanding OCTT variations in diverse pediatric populations is crucial for assessing digestive health.
- Malnutrition is a significant concern in many developing regions, potentially impacting gut physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine orocecal transit time (OCTT) in healthy Myanmar children aged 1-5 years.
- To investigate potential correlations between OCTT, sex, age, and malnutrition status.
- To assess the feasibility of using the lactulose breath hydrogen test in a field setting.
Main Methods:
- Ninety healthy Myanmar children (1-5 years) participated in the study.
- Orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured using the lactulose hydrogen breath test.
- Statistical analyses assessed relationships between OCTT, sex, age, and malnutrition.
Main Results:
- The mean OCTT for Myanmar children was 90.2 ± 20 minutes.
- No significant differences in OCTT were observed based on sex, feeding status, or malnutrition.
- Age and OCTT showed no significant correlation, and no shortened transit time was found in malnourished children.
Conclusions:
- The lactulose hydrogen breath test is a feasible and acceptable method for assessing OCTT in field settings with children.
- OCTT in Myanmar children, a population with rice as a staple, is comparable to that of children in developed countries.
- This study found no evidence of shortened transit time associated with malnutrition in the studied pediatric population.
Abstract:
We aimed to establish whether there was a variation in orocecal transit time (OCTT) in Myanmar children and whether shortened transit time correlated with malnutrition. OCTT was measured in 90 healthy Myanmar children aged 1-5 years, using the hydrogen breath test (10g in 10% aqueous solution). The relationships between OCTT, sex, age, and malnutrition status were assessed. OCTT for 1 to 5-year old children was 90.2 +/- 20min (mean +/- SD). There was no significant difference in mean OCTT between boys and girls, breast-fed and weaned children, malnourished and non-malnourished children. There was also no difference between age groups (1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, and 4-5 years), and no correlation was found between age and orocecal transit time. The assessment of OCTT using the lactulose breath hydrogen test was found to be feasible and acceptable in the field setting. The OCTT of Myanmar children with rice as a staple food is similar to that of children from developed countries having a different diet, and no shortening of transit time was demonstrated in children with malnutrition.
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