Related Experiment Videos
The status of lactose absorption in Hong Kong Chinese children
Insights
Lactose malabsorption is common in Chinese children, with prevalence increasing with age. However, symptoms are rare, suggesting a mild, gradual loss of lactase activity, making it clinically insignificant in many cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Human Nutrition
Background:
- Lactose malabsorption is a common condition.
- Prevalence varies significantly across different ethnic groups and age ranges.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lactose malabsorption in Chinese children.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of lactose solution versus cow's milk challenges.
- To assess the clinical significance of identified malabsorption.
Main Methods:
- A breath hydrogen test was employed.
- 169 Chinese children aged 2-16 years participated.
- Challenges included lactose solution (1 g/kg) and cow's milk (10 ml/kg).
Main Results:
- 68% showed malabsorption with lactose solution; only 17% with cow's milk.
- Malabsorption prevalence increased significantly with age (p < 0.001).
- No gastrointestinal symptoms were reported post-challenge.
Conclusions:
- Standard lactose tests may overestimate prevalence in Chinese children.
- Cow's milk challenge reveals a smaller, clinically insignificant number of malabsorbers.
- Gradual loss of intestinal lactase activity is suggested, with age-related increases.
Abstract:
Lactose malabsorption was investigated in 169 Chinese children aged between two and 16 years using the breath hydrogen test. The challenge was either lactose solution (1 g/kg) or cow's milk (10 ml/kg). Overall, 68% of the children showed a significant increase in breath hydrogen following the lactose challenge while only 17% showed an increase after the cow's milk challenge and 13% after both challenges. The number of malabsorbers increased significantly (p less than 0.001) with age and no associated gastrointestinal symptoms or signs were found in any of the children following the challenges, suggesting a gradual and partial loss of intestinal lactase activity. We conclude that the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in Hong Kong children is very high using the standard lactose tolerance test but when a more realistic amount of lactose and a natural medium such as a glass of milk is used as the challenge, the number of malabsorbers becomes small and clinically insignificant.