Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Measuring Lactase Enzymatic Activity in the Teaching Lab
Published on: August 6, 2018
Prevalence of abnormal lactose breath hydrogen tests in children with functional abdominal pain
Neha Garg1, Srikanta Basu1, Preeti Singh1
1Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, C-604, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Road, Diz Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi, 110 001, India.
Insights
Lactose malabsorption is common in children with chronic abdominal pain without a clear organic cause. The study found 58% of these children had abnormal lactose hydrogen breath tests.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Digestive Health
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Chronic abdominal pain is a frequent complaint in children.
- Non-organic abdominal pain often presents diagnostic challenges.
- Identifying underlying physiological causes is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in children diagnosed with non-organic chronic abdominal pain.
- To investigate the utility of the lactose hydrogen breath test in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Children with chronic abdominal pain underwent evaluation for organic etiologies.
- Patients without identified organic causes were subjected to lactose and glucose hydrogen breath tests.
- Lactose malabsorption was diagnosed based on a 20 ppm rise in breath hydrogen post-lactose ingestion.
Main Results:
- Of 108 children screened, 46 had organic causes identified.
- In 62 children without organic causes, 58% (36/62) tested positive for lactose malabsorption via hydrogen breath test.
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was suggested in 17% (11/62) based on glucose hydrogen breath tests.
Conclusions:
- Lactose malabsorption is a significant finding in a majority of children presenting with non-organic chronic abdominal pain.
- The lactose hydrogen breath test is a valuable tool for diagnosing malabsorption in this cohort.
- Dietary modification (lactose-free diet) and antibiotics showed improvement in respective patient groups.
Objectives:
The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of abnormal lactose breath hydrogen test in children with non-organic chronic abdominal pain.
Methods:
Children with chronic abdominal pain were examined and investigated for organic causes. All children without a known organic cause underwent lactose and glucose breath hydrogen test. After a standard dose of 2 g/kg of lactose to a maximum of 50 g, hydrogen in breath was measured at 15 min intervals for 3 h. A rise of 20 ppm above baseline was considered suggestive of lactose malabsorption.
Results:
Of 108 children screened, organic causes were found in 46 children. Sixty-two patients without any organic cause underwent hydrogen breath test. Lactose hydrogen breath test (HBT) was positive in 36 of 62 (58%), while 11 (17%) had positive HBT with glucose suggestive of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Twenty out of 34 (59%) improved on lactose free diet while 8 out of 11 (72%) children of SIBO improved on antibiotics.
Conclusions:
Lactose malabsorption was seen in 58% of children with non-organic chronic abdominal pain.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...
01:25Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...