Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2002 Mar;5(1):62-67.

Prevalence of Lactose Malabsorption in Children by Breath Hydrogen Test

• Chung JY
• Bae SH
• Choi KH
• Ko JS
• Seo JK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the age of onset and the prevalence of lactose malabsorption in early childhood in Korea.
METHODS
We conducted a study of lactose malabsorption by breath hydrogen test in healthy children aged between 25~96 months old. Standard lactose loading (2 g lactose/kg, maximum 40g) test was done in 129 children and cow's milk (10 mL/kg) loading in 126 children followed by breath sampling of 60 and 120 minutes after the loading. An increase above baseline of 20 ppm or more was used as a criteria for positive responses.
RESULTS
The prevalence of lactose malabsorption was 7% in 25~36 months old, 19% in 37~48 months old, 35% in 49~60 months old, 55% in 61~72 months old, 82% in 72~84 months old, 80% in 85~96 months old children. Only 1% of the children showed positive result in breath hydrogen test after the cow's milk challenge.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of lactose malabsorption was increased between 37 months and 60 months of age, reached to adult level of prevalence after 72 months of age. When physiological dose of lactose was used as the challenge, the number of lactose malabsorbers become clinically insignificant.

Keyword

Lactose malabsorption; Breath hydrogen test; Children

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age of Onset
Child*
Humans
Hydrogen*
Korea
Lactose Intolerance*
Lactose*
Milk
Prevalence*
Hydrogen
Lactose