LACTOSE INTOLERANCE AND THE DIARRHEA IN INFANTS

AND YOUNG CHILDREN

Yao F-B, Shi W-S, Lu M

The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Jiangsu, China

 

Objective: To study the role of lactose intolerance (LI) in sucking babies suffering from diarrhea.

Methods: The lead acetate method established in our laboratory was used to examine the patient's stool for the presence of reducing sugar. The concentration of 0.5% was set as the criterion for diagnosing LI.

Results: In the past decade, 1508 out of the 2669 one to two-year old diarrheal babies, who were basically fed on milk, were found to be positive for LI. The rate of positivity was 56.6%. Review of the 615 cases with well-taken medical history showed medical history showed that they were 465 boys and 150 girls (75.6% vs 24.4%); aged <1 month in 80 cases (13.0%), 1-6 months in 245 cases (39.8%), 6-12 months in 177 cases (45.0%) and >12 months in 13 cases (2.1%). The illness lasted for <14 d in 150 cases (24.4%), 15 d-2 months 383 cases (62.3%) and >2 months in 82 cases (13.3%). There were 4 types of clinical manifestation: (1) Physiological diarrhea (381 cases, 62.0%). (2) Post-enteritic diarrhea (63 cases, 10.2%). (3) LI diarrhea secondary to parenteral diseases (48 cases, 7.8%). (4) LI secondary to protracted/chronic diarrhea (123 cases, 20.0%).

Conclusion: (1) The prevalence of LI is rather high among the diarrheal sucking babies in China. (2) The diagnosis can be easily and rapidly made by examining the baby's stool for reducing sugar. The results obtained by lead acetate method were similar to those of the standard Clinitest, with the former method warranted to substitute for the latter one. (3) The infantile diarrhea accompanied by LI can be quickly and reliably cured by giving lactose free food.

 
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