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Triple sugar screen breath hydrogen test for sugar intolerance in children with functional abdominal symptoms

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Indian Journal of Gastroenterology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Sugar intolerance and functional gastrointestinal disorders are both common in school age children. Both may present with similar complaints such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating. Lactose, fructose and sucrose hydrogen breath tests are widely used to detect sugar malabsorption.

Aim

To determine the proportion of children with symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) that have sugar intolerance as determined by using a breath hydrogen test.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled subjects with chronic abdominal pain, bloating and/or chronic diarrhea. All subjects underwent triple sugar screen hydrogen breath test (TSST) using the combined sugar solution. Breath hydrogen concentration ≥20 ppm above baseline was interpreted a positive test for sugar malabsorption.

Results

A positive hydrogen breath test consistent with sugar malabsorption was found in 5 out of 31 (16%) subjects. Three of these subjects were confirmed to have lactose malabsorption based on small bowel lactase enzyme analysis or subsequent lactose hydrogen breath test. One subject with positive TSST was diagnosed with fructose malabsorption based on dietary history; he improved on a limited fructose diet, and one was diagnosed to have gastric Crohn’s disease.

Conclusion

Approximately one in six children with symptoms of FGID had sugar intolerance as determined by the TSST.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, The Children’s Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ, 07750, USA

    Jonathan E. Teitelbaum

  2. Drexel University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, USA

    Jonathan E. Teitelbaum

  3. Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave, Long Branch, NJ, 07750, USA

    Dolly Ubhrani

Authors
  1. Jonathan E. Teitelbaum
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  2. Dolly Ubhrani
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Correspondence to Jonathan E. Teitelbaum.

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Teitelbaum, J.E., Ubhrani, D. Triple sugar screen breath hydrogen test for sugar intolerance in children with functional abdominal symptoms. Indian J Gastroenterol 29, 196–200 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-010-0055-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12664-010-0055-7

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