[Quantitative and qualitative determination of lactic acid in fecal filtrate in children]

The authors describe qualitative and quantitative methods for lactic acid assessment in children's feces. A total of 102 children with mainly lactose intolerance were examined. Benedict's test with feces filtrate, lactose tolerance test, and measurements of fecal carbohydrates were used in the diagnostic investigations. Mean lactic acid levels made up (mean +/- m) 33.3 +/- 3.6 mmol/l (6.3 +/- 1.0 in healthy infants on breast feeding and 6.0 +/- 1.3 mmol/l in those on mixed and formula feeding). Fecal carbohydrate levels were normal (below 5 g/l) in 12 infants, but lactic acid levels made up 67.8 +/- 6.1 mmol/l. Qualitative reaction to lactic acid in feces, starting from 44.4 mmol/l, was detected in 27% of infants. Differences in the values of healthy children and those with lactic carbohydrate intolerance were found significant (p < 0.001).