Biomaterial Database

Recurrent abdominal pain of childhood due to lactose intolerance. 1979

R G Barr, and M D Levine, and J B Watkins

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.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007787	Lactose Intolerance	The condition resulting from the absence or deficiency of LACTASE in the MUCOSA cells of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, and the inability to break down LACTOSE in milk for ABSORPTION. Bacterial fermentation of the unabsorbed lactose leads to symptoms that range from a mild indigestion (DYSPEPSIA) to severe DIARRHEA. Lactose intolerance may be an inborn error or acquired.	Lactose Malabsorption,Alactasia,Dairy Product Intolerance,Hypolactasia,Milk Sugar Intolerance,Intolerance, Lactose,Malabsorption, Lactose
D010146	Pain	An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS.	Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D012008	Recurrence	The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission.	Recrudescence,Relapse,Recrudescences,Recurrences,Relapses
D001944	Breath Tests	Any tests done on exhaled air.	Breathalyzer Tests,Breath Test,Breathalyzer Test,Test, Breath,Test, Breathalyzer,Tests, Breath,Tests, Breathalyzer
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006859	Hydrogen	The first chemical element in the periodic table with atomic symbol H, and atomic number 1. Protium (atomic weight 1) is by far the most common hydrogen isotope. Hydrogen also exists as the stable isotope DEUTERIUM (atomic weight 2) and the radioactive isotope TRITIUM (atomic weight 3). Hydrogen forms into a diatomic molecule at room temperature and appears as a highly flammable colorless and odorless gas.	Protium,Hydrogen-1