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Previous Volume 300:1449-1452 June 28, 1979 Number 26 Next

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Abstract

The role of lactose malabsorption was studied prospectively in 80 schoolchildren with recurrent abdominal pain. Malabsorption was documented in 40 per cent (16 of 59 whites, 12 of 16 blacks and four of five Hispanic children) on the basis of elevated levels of hydrogen in their breath. Those with lactose malabsorption, however, were not clinically distinguishable on the basis of past milk ingestion (P greater than 0.05), weekly pain frequency (median, five vs. six times), presence of diarrhea (40 vs. 27 per cent) or symptom response to lactose load. In children with malabsorption who completed a six-week diet trial, 70 per cent reported increased frequency of pain (P less than 0.002) when placed on their usual lactose-containing diet. Lactose malabsorption has a substantial role in the symptoms of children with recurrent abdominal pain, and it should be considered before performing invasive procedures or assuming a psychogenic origin.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Heyman, M. B., for the Committee on Nutrition, (2006). Lactose Intolerance in Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Pediatrics 118: 1279-1286 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Subcommittee on Chronic Abdominal Pain, (2005). Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children. Pediatrics 115: e370-e381 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Rasinpera, H, Savilahti, E, Enattah, N S, Kuokkanen, M, Totterman, N, Lindahl, H, Jarvela, I, Kolho, K-L (2004). A genetic test which can be used to diagnose adult-type hypolactasia in children. Gut 53: 1571-1576 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gremse, D. A., Greer, A. S., Vacik, J., Dipalma, J. A. (2003). Abdominal Pain Associated with Lactose Ingestion in Children with Lactose Intolerance. CLIN PEDIATR 42: 341-345 [Abstract]  
• Wyllie, R., Kay, M. (1993). Causes of Recurrent Abdominal Pain. CLIN PEDIATR 32: 369-371  
• Ingersoll, G. M., Grizzle, K., Beiter, M., Orr, D. P. (1993). Frequent Somatic Complaints and Psychosocial Risk in Adolescents. The Journal of Early Adolescence 13: 67-78 [Abstract]