Lactose malabsorption and recurrent abdominal pain in italian children

Summary The role of lactose malabsorption (LM) was investigated in 32 children (mean age 8.13 ± 2.46 years) with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). LM was detected in 75% of them by a lactose breath hydrogen test (LBHT) after a 2-g/kg (max 50-g) load. Of the 18 malabsorbers who participated in a 3-month lactose-free diet (LFD), 14 were judged “improved” and reported lower pain frequency (p