Patterns of methane production in a Burmese (Myanmar) population

While up to 50% of Western populations produce methane, this is less than that of rural black Africans and there is no information on methane production in populations from Asian developing countries. Females consistently produce methane more commonly than males, and methane production in children under the age of five years, except in Nigeria, is unusual. Breath methane was sampled in 1426 subjects from Myanmar ranging in age from 1 month to 88 years, with a mean age of 26.2 years. Half (49.8%) of the Myanmar population produced methane, this figure comprising 53% of females and 46% of males sampled. Methane production increases with age and reaches adult levels after 10 years of age. A high prevalence of methane production was found in children under 3 years of age (15.8%). Methane production was absent in 13 solely breast-fed children and increased as other food was introduced into the diet. There was an association of methane production within families and with smoking. The prevalence of methane production increased in male and female smokers, with 75% of smokers producing methane. Methane production was not associated with occupation, education, income, water source, latrine type, previous diarrhoea, antibiotic usage or socio-economic status.