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Cancer chemotherapy-induced lactose malabsorption in children

Cancer
|February 15, 1982
PubMed

Insights

Cancer chemotherapy can induce lactose malabsorption in children, leading to digestive issues like diarrhea. A low lactose diet may help manage these symptoms during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Cancer chemotherapy regimens can significantly impact a child's gastrointestinal health.
  • Lactose malabsorption is a common issue, but its induction by chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for cancer chemotherapy to induce lactose malabsorption in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the prevalence of lactose malabsorption following chemotherapy in children with neoplastic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Lactose breath hydrogen tests (LBHT) were administered to 27 pediatric cancer patients.
  • Tests were conducted before and after chemotherapy initiation in one group, and after the final course in another group of younger children.

Main Results:

  • Three out of nine patients showed induced lactose malabsorption after chemotherapy initiation.
  • Six out of eighteen younger patients (under 5 years) exhibited abnormal LBHT results after their last chemotherapy course.
  • A history of diarrhea was reported in six of the nine patients with abnormal LBHT results.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer chemotherapy can induce lactose malabsorption in children.
  • Clinical manifestations like diarrhea may be linked to chemotherapy-induced lactose malabsorption.
  • Nutritional support containing lactose may exacerbate gastrointestinal distress; a low lactose diet trial is suggested for symptomatic patients.

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