Biomaterial Database

Lactose malabsorption in Australian Aborigines. 1983

J C Brand, and M S Gracey, and R M Spargo, and S P Dutton

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of lactose malabsorption in healthy, adult Australian Aborigines. Malabsorption of lactose was measured in 45 full-blood Aboriginal subjects and 37 non-Aboriginal, multiracial controls using the breath hydrogen method. Eighty-four percent of the Aboriginal subjects were found to be lactose malabsorbers and 64% developed abdominal pain or diarrhea. In the control subjects, 20% were found to be lactose malabsorbers and all of these developed symptoms of diarrhea. The results provide strong evidence that Australian Aborigines, in common with most human adults, are lactase deficient.

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
D008297	Male		Males
D001944	Breath Tests	Any tests done on exhaled air.	Breathalyzer Tests,Breath Test,Breathalyzer Test,Test, Breath,Test, Breathalyzer,Tests, Breath,Tests, Breathalyzer
D005260	Female		Females
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
D001315	Australia	The smallest continent and an independent country, comprising six states and two territories. Its capital is Canberra.	Canton and Enderbury Islands,Christmas Island,Christmas Island (Australia)
D044469	Racial Groups	Groups of individuals with similar physical appearances often reinforced by cultural, social and/or linguistic similarities.	Continental Population Groups,Race,Racial Stocks,Continental Population Group,Group, Continental Population,Group, Racial,Groups, Continental Population,Groups, Racial,Population Group, Continental,Population Groups, Continental,Races,Racial Group,Racial Stock,Stock, Racial,Stocks, Racial