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Lactose malabsorption and giardiasis in Basotho school children
Insights
Most Basotho school children exhibit lactose malabsorption, a condition causing milk intolerance and diarrhea. However, the study suggests that physiological milk quantities are suitable for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Lactose malabsorption is common globally, affecting nutrient absorption and causing gastrointestinal distress.
- Understanding lactose malabsorption prevalence in specific populations is crucial for dietary recommendations.
- Previous studies on lactose malabsorption in Basotho children are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of primary, adult-type lactose malabsorption in Basotho school children.
- To investigate the relationship between lactose malabsorption, milk intolerance, and Giardia infection.
- To assess the suitability of physiological milk quantities for Basotho school children.
Main Methods:
- Hydrogen breath test administered after milk consumption to assess lactose malabsorption.
- Study involved 96 randomly selected Basotho school children aged 5-15 years.
- Data collected on recent diarrhea, milk consumption habits, and Giardia infection status.
Main Results:
- 85% of children without recent diarrhea were identified as lactose malabsorbers.
- Milk intolerance, presenting as diarrhea, was more frequent in children with negative milk associations or dislike.
- Giardiasis correlated with milk intolerance presenting as diarrhea, but not with lactose malabsorption in children without recent diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of lactose malabsorption in Basotho school children.
- Milk intolerance symptoms are influenced by psychological factors and co-infections like Giardia.
- Physiological milk intake is supported for Basotho school children despite high lactose malabsorption rates.
Abstract:
The prevalence of primary, adult-type, lactose malabsorption was assessed by means of the hydrogen breath test after intake of 360 ml of full cream milk (approximately 18 g lactose) in 96 randomly selected Basotho school children, aged 5-15 years. Of 86 children who did not have diarrhoea in the previous week 82 (85%) were lactose malabsorbers, while 4 (5%) could not be classified because of undetectable hydrogen excretion. Milk intolerance presenting as diarrhoea was significantly (p less than 0.01) more common in children who associated previous abdominal complaints with milk intake and/or did not like milk. A negative hydrogen breath test was significantly (p less than 0.05) more often observed in children who had diarrhoea in the previous week. Giardia was present in 18 (19%) of 93 children. The incidence of giardiasis did not correlate with the presence of lactose malabsorption in children without diarrhoea in the previous week. However, milk intolerance presenting as diarrhoea was significantly (p less than 0.05) more common in children with giardiasis. The findings support the use of physiological quantities of milk in Basotho school children.