[Lactose intolerance in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in children].

In the period from 1990 to 1992 542 children aged 0-15 years were examined by the breath hydrogen test for abdominal pain and chronic nutritional disorder. The results of lactose tests were pathological in 107 children with abdominal pain and 95 with chronic nutritional disorder. The authors followed 107 children with abdominal pain and directed their attention to its relationship to lactose intolerance. It was confirmed to be the only cause of abdominal pain in twenty-six children (24.3%). In spite of the well known pathogenetic mechanism of lactose intolerance leading to abdominal pain and metheorism and loose stools, an atypical clinical course was observed in these patients. There were no complaints associated with the intake of milk in history, the abdominal pain being the leading symptom in all patients but four who had loose stools. There was an improvement of clinical symptoms after the low-lactose diet.