Recurrent abdominal pain and lactose absorption in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science
• Digestive Health

Background:

• Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is common in children.
• Lactase deficiency, or lactose intolerance, is a potential contributing factor to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between lactase deficiency and recurrent abdominal pain in children.
• To determine if lactose elimination diets improve symptoms in children with RAP.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 103 children (6-14 years) with RAP using lactose tolerance tests and intestinal biopsies.
• Conducted double-blind, six-week diet trials (lactose elimination vs. regular diet) in 38 patients.
• Assessed pain frequency and elimination over 12 months.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of lactase deficiency was similar in children with RAP (30.4%) and controls (26.4%).
• Lactose malabsorbers did not show a significantly different pain improvement rate compared to lactose absorbers after a 12-month milk elimination diet.
• Pain recovery rates were similar between lactose absorbers and non-absorbers, irrespective of dietary changes.

Conclusions:

• Lactase deficiency is not more prevalent in children with recurrent abdominal pain than in controls.
• Eliminating lactose from the diet does not appear to significantly impact the overall improvement rate of recurrent abdominal pain in children.
• Recovery from recurrent abdominal pain is independent of lactose absorption status and dietary lactose restriction.