TY - JOUR
T1 - Lactulose hydrogen breath test and functional symptoms in pediatric patients
AU - Madrid, Ana María
AU - Klapp, Gabriela
AU - Defilippi, Carlos
AU - Landskron, Glauben
AU - Reyes, Alvaro
AU - Pizarro, Carolina
PY - 2012/5/1
Y1 - 2012/5/1
N2 - Background The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in functional digestive disorders in the pediatric population is a matter of controversy, since methods currently used to establish this diagnosis are difficult to interpret. The aim of this work was to analyze the characteristics of the lactulose H 2 breath test (LHBT) in children with functional gastrointestinal symptoms according to more recent criteria. Methods Seventy-two patients and 17 controls were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered regarding digestive symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and bowel-movement disorders). A lactose hydrogen breath test was performed to rule out lactose malabsorption and a LHBT was used to measure the time elapsed between lactulose oral ingestion and an increment of H 2 concentration of 20 ppm over basal. Results There were no differences of age and gender between patients and controls. Mean time to 20-ppm change was shorter in patients (56.3 ± 3 min) compared to healthy children (74.7 ± 5 min), p < 0.05. In 39% of patients, rise of H 2 occurred during the first 40 min after lactulose ingestion, and in almost all controls, an increment was observed between 50 and 90 min (p < 0.05). Symptoms were unrelated to time to 20-ppm change. Conclusions An abnormal LHBT was found in children with functional symptoms of the digestive tract, but the exact mechanism involved, accelerated intestinal transit or SIBO, needs to be confirmed by an additional method.
AB - Background The role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in functional digestive disorders in the pediatric population is a matter of controversy, since methods currently used to establish this diagnosis are difficult to interpret. The aim of this work was to analyze the characteristics of the lactulose H 2 breath test (LHBT) in children with functional gastrointestinal symptoms according to more recent criteria. Methods Seventy-two patients and 17 controls were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered regarding digestive symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and bowel-movement disorders). A lactose hydrogen breath test was performed to rule out lactose malabsorption and a LHBT was used to measure the time elapsed between lactulose oral ingestion and an increment of H 2 concentration of 20 ppm over basal. Results There were no differences of age and gender between patients and controls. Mean time to 20-ppm change was shorter in patients (56.3 ± 3 min) compared to healthy children (74.7 ± 5 min), p < 0.05. In 39% of patients, rise of H 2 occurred during the first 40 min after lactulose ingestion, and in almost all controls, an increment was observed between 50 and 90 min (p < 0.05). Symptoms were unrelated to time to 20-ppm change. Conclusions An abnormal LHBT was found in children with functional symptoms of the digestive tract, but the exact mechanism involved, accelerated intestinal transit or SIBO, needs to be confirmed by an additional method.
KW - Abdominal pain
KW - Children
KW - Functional gastrointestinal disorders
KW - Hydrogen breath test
KW - Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863608003&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10620-012-2032-8
DO - 10.1007/s10620-012-2032-8
M3 - Article
C2 - 22297652
AN - SCOPUS:84863608003
VL - 57
SP - 1330
EP - 1335
JO - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
JF - Digestive Diseases and Sciences
SN - 0163-2116
IS - 5
ER -