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Breath hydrogen test in children with giardiasis
L Vega-Franco1, C Meza, J L Romero
1Department of Nutrition and Gastroenterology, Mexico City Children's Hospital, Mexico.
Insights
Giardiasis in children can impair lactose absorption, leading to digestive issues. Treating Giardia lamblia infection improved lactose absorption in most children, suggesting a link between the parasite and digestive health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Giardiasis is a common intestinal infection in children.
- Lactose malabsorption can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
- The relationship between Giardia lamblia infection and lactose absorption requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Giardia lamblia infection on lactose absorption in children.
- To assess the impact of Giardia lamblia eradication on lactose absorption.
Main Methods:
- Respiratory hydrogen excretion tests were performed on 50 children with giardiasis before and after milk ingestion.
- The breath hydrogen test measures lactose absorption by detecting hydrogen gas produced by gut bacteria metabolizing undigested lactose.
- Tests were repeated after successful treatment of Giardia lamblia with tinidazole.
Main Results:
- Before treatment, 72% (33/50) of children showed impaired lactose absorption (breath hydrogen excretion > 20 ppm).
- After treatment and elimination of Giardia lamblia, only 44% (20/50) of children exhibited impaired lactose absorption.
- A significant reduction in the prevalence of lactose malabsorption was observed post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- The presence of Giardia lamblia in the intestine may negatively impact optimal lactose absorption in children.
- Eradication of Giardia lamblia can lead to improved lactose absorption.
- Findings suggest that giardiasis is a potential cause of secondary lactose malabsorption.
Abstract:
Respiratory hydrogen excretion was measured in 50 children with giardiasis in order to study lactose absorption. Samples of expired air were collected before and after the children drank 250 ml of whole cow's milk. The test was repeated after successful elimination of Giardia lamblia following treatment with tinidazol. The number of children showing a rise in breath hydrogen excretion greater than 20 ppm decreased from 33 (72%) before treatment to 20 (44%) after treatment. This study permits the conclusion that the presence of G. lamblia in the intestine might interfere with optimum lactose absorption.