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[Prevalence of lactose malabsorption in Roman school children. A H2 breath test study using a cow's milk]
G Pitzalis1, M G Fancellu, F Deganello
1I Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi La Sapienza di Roma.
Insights
This study assessed lactose malabsorption in healthy school-children using the H2 breath test. Most children showed normal lactose absorption, with only a few cases linked to specific geographic origins.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Lactose malabsorption is a common condition affecting nutrient absorption.
- Prevalence varies significantly by geographic region and ethnicity.
- Understanding prevalence in pediatric populations is crucial for dietary guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in apparently healthy school-children.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the H2 breath test using cow's milk as a lactose vehicle.
- To identify potential correlations between geographic origin and lactose malabsorption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the H2 breath test on 75 healthy school-children (ages 8.5-15.2 years).
- Administered 250 ml of cow's milk after an 8-hour overnight fast.
- Measured expired hydrogen (H2) concentration via gas chromatography at 30-minute intervals for 3 hours.
Main Results:
- 66 out of 70 children (93.3%) who completed the test demonstrated complete lactose absorption.
- Only 4 children exhibited lactose malabsorption.
- Two children with malabsorption originated from East Africa and Central America, regions known for high incidence.
Conclusions:
- Lactose malabsorption is uncommon in this cohort of apparently healthy school-children.
- The H2 breath test with cow's milk is a viable method for assessing lactose absorption.
- Geographic origin may be a significant factor in lactose malabsorption prevalence.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in a population of 75 (43 males, 32 females) apparently healthy school-children using the H2 breath test with cow's milk. The children, ranging in age from 8 years and 6 months to 15 years and 2 months (mean: 11 years, 7 months) were divided into 2 age groups: Group I (no. = 26): age < 11 years and Group II (no. = 49): age > 11 years. After on overnight fasting, lasting at least 8 hours, samples of expired air were collected at 0 time and at 30-min intervals following the administration of 250 ml cow's milk for a total time of 3 hours. The H2 breath concentration was then measured by gas chromatography (Micro-Lyzer Quintron Instruments Company mod. 12). A net rise of more than 20 ppm H2 was considered as lactose malabsorption. Subjects with symptoms such as excessive flatulence, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea, were considered as lactose intolerant. Two-hundred and 50 ml of cow's milk (12 g of lactose) was considered a more physiological vehicle than the traditional lactose aqueous solution. The examined children, all on free diet, showed a fasting alveolar from 0 to 43 ppm (mean +/- SD = 7.9 +/- 7.6). Sixty-six children out of 70 (93.3%), who completed the test had a total absorption of lactose. Two out of 4 children with lactose malabsorption originated from areas (East Africa and Central America), where a high incidence of this metabolic disorder is a characteristic findings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)