Lactose intolerance in malnutrition: Do we guidelines?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of lactose intolerance in malnourished children presenting with acute watery diarrhea. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health. Period: 20th December 2015 till 20th June 2016. Material & Methods: A total of 225 children fulfilling inclusion criteria were selected. Stool samples were tested for reducing substances after informed consent from parents. Approval from Ethical Committee was taken. Data was entered and analyzed through SPSS 2.0. Results: Out of total 225 patients with age 3 months to 2 years (mean age 13.41±5.93 months), 112 (49.8%) were males and 113 (50.2%) were females. Overall lactose intolerance was observed in 57 (25.3%) patients, out of which, 27 (24.1%) were males and 30 (26.5%) were females. Total of 129 (57.3%) had low socio-economic status out of which 35 (27.1%) had lactose intolerance. Conclusion: In these malnourished children with acute watery diarrhea, lactose intolerance is high and local guidelines are necessary for proper screening and management.