Pediatrics

Biography

Biography: SatyaVati Rana

Abstract

Celiac disease may be asymptomatic or symptomatic with severe malabsorption. Symptoms of malabsorption in celiac disease include chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, failure to thrive and nutritional deficiencies. Celiac disease could lead to lactase deficiency. It can lead to lactose intolerance but it has not been reported in North Indians. Therefore, the study was planned to elucidate lactose intolerance in children with celiac disease. Lactose intolerance was estimated by using non-invasive lactose hydrogen breath test in 155 children suffering from celiac disease and 110 age & sex matched apparently healthy controls. 25g lactose dissolved in 250 ml water was given orally for lactose hydrogen breath test to all subjects after measuring fasting breath H2 and CH4 concentrations. End expiratory breath was collected every 30 minutes up to 4 hrs. H2 & CH4 concentrations were measured by using Microlyzer. Rise ≥ 20ppm over base line value in H2 and/or CH4 concentration in two consecutive readings was considered as lactose intolerance. Results: Out of 155 children, 90 (58.06%) were boys and 65 (41.94%) were girls. The age range of children was 3-13 years. The Mean SD of age was 7.5 2.9 years. Out of 110 healthy controls, 65 (59.09%) were boys and 45 (40.91 %) were girls. Lactose intolerance was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in celiac patients (106/155; 68.4%) as compared to controls (40/110; 36.4%) Conclusion: This study indicates that lactose intolerance is common among children with celiac disease which can be one of the causes for gastrointestinal symptoms.