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Marvin S. Medow, PhD; Kerry D. Thek, MD; Leonard J. Newman, MD; Stuart Berezin, MD; Mark S. Glassman, MD; Steven M. Schwarz, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1990;144(11):1261-1264.

Abstract
• Lactose-intolerant children manifest diminished or nonexistent intestinal lactase activity, resulting in flatulence, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. To assess the hydrolytic capability of lactase-containing tablets taken immediately before oral lactose challenge, we studied 18 children previously identified as being lactose intolerant and having no underlying organic gastrointestinal disease. Subjects had a mean (± SEM) age of 11.4 ± 3.4 years; 72% were male. At time of the study, lactase-containing tablets or placebo tablets were ingested (double-blind) immediately before drinking a solution of lactose. Breath samples were obtained for hydrogen analysis at 30-minute intervals during a 2-hour period, and clinical symptoms were monitored. In lactose-intolerant patients, hydrogen production was significantly greater following placebo (maximum hydrogen excretion, approximately 60 ppm) compared with lactase-containing tablets (maximum hydrogen excretion, 7 ppm). Increased hydrogen production was associated with clinical symptoms including abdominal pain (89% of subjects following placebo ingestion), bloating (83%), diarrhea (61%), and flatulence (44%). These results indicate, therefore, that coingestion of lactose and lactase-containing tablets significantly reduces both breath hydrogen excretion and clinical symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

(AJDC. 1990;144:1261-1264)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, New York Medical College, Valhalla.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 26, 1990.

Presented in part at the 59th Annual Meeting of The Society for Pediatric Research meeting, Washington, DC, May 4, 1989.

Reprint requests to the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595(Dr Medow).

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