Lactulose Breath Test Gas Production in Childhood IBS Is Associated With Intestinal Transit and Bowel Movement Frequency

Objectives: In adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bacterial gas production (colonic fermentation) is related to both symptom generation and intestinal transit. Whether gas production affects symptom generation, psychosocial distress, or intestinal transit in childhood IBS is unknown. Methods: Children (ages 7–17 years) with pediatric Rome III IBS completed validated psychosocial questionnaires and a 2-week daily diary capturing pain and stooling characteristics. Stool form determined IBS subtype. Subjects then completed a 3-hour lactulose breath test for measurement of total breath hydrogen and methane production. Carmine red was used to determine whole intestinal transit time. Results: A total of 87 children (mean age 13 ± 2.6 [standard deviation] years) were enrolled, of whom 50 (57.5%) were girls. All children produced hydrogen and 51 (58.6%) produced methane. Hydrogen and methane production did not correlate with either abdominal pain frequency/severity or psychosocial distress. Hydrogen and methane production did not differ significantly by IBS subtype. Methane production correlated positively with whole intestinal transit time (r = 0.31, P 
Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Articles: Gastroenterology Source Type: research