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Beta-galactosidase tablets in the treatment of lactose intolerance in pediatrics
M S Medow1, K D Thek, L J Newman
1Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.
Insights
Lactase tablets significantly reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance in children. These tablets decrease breath hydrogen and alleviate abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence after consuming lactose.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Digestive Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Children with lactose intolerance have reduced intestinal lactase activity.
- This leads to symptoms like gas, pain, and diarrhea after lactose ingestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of lactase tablets in managing lactose intolerance in children.
- To assess the impact of lactase tablets on breath hydrogen levels and clinical symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 18 lactose-intolerant children participated in a double-blind study.
- Subjects ingested lactase tablets or placebo before a lactose challenge.
- Breath hydrogen levels and clinical symptoms were monitored for 2 hours.
Main Results:
- Lactase tablets significantly reduced breath hydrogen excretion (7 ppm vs. 60 ppm with placebo).
- Symptom incidence decreased, with fewer reports of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence when using lactase tablets.
Conclusions:
- Co-administering lactase tablets with lactose effectively reduces hydrogen production.
- Lactase tablets significantly alleviate the clinical symptoms associated with lactose intolerance in children.
Abstract:
Lactose-intolerant children manifest diminished or nonexistent intestinal lactase activity, resulting in flatulence, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. To assess the hydrolytic capability of lactase-containing tablets taken immediately before oral lactose challenge, we studied 18 children previously identified as being lactose intolerant and having no underlying organic gastrointestinal disease. Subjects had a mean (+/- SEM) age of 11.4 +/- 3.4 years; 72% were male. At time of the study, lactase-containing tablets or placebo tablets were ingested (double-blind) immediately before drinking a solution of lactose. Breath samples were obtained for hydrogen analysis at 30-minute intervals during a 2-hour period, and clinical symptoms were monitored. In lactose-intolerant patients, hydrogen production was significantly greater following placebo (maximum hydrogen excretion, approximately 60 ppm) compared with lactase-containing tablets (maximum hydrogen excretion, 7 ppm). Increased hydrogen production was associated with clinical symptoms including abdominal pain (89% of subjects following placebo ingestion), bloating (83%), diarrhea (61%), and flatulence (44%). These results indicate, therefore, that coingestion of lactose and lactase-containing tablets significantly reduces both breath hydrogen excretion and clinical symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.