DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF DISACCHARIDE TOLERANCE TESTS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Krasilnikoff, P. A., Gudmand-Høyer, E. and Moltke, H. H. (From the Department of Paediatrics and the Medical Gastroenterological Department B, University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark). Diagnostic value of disaccharide tolerance tests in children. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:693, 1975.–The diagnostic value of oral lactose and sucrose tolerance tests was investigated in 61 children. A total of 105 oral disaccharide tests were carried out. When the rise in blood sugar was low, the same disaccharide was, as a control measure, instilled directly into the small intestine through a tube. This was carried out in 40 cases. In 21 patients the rise in blood sugar following the two forms of administration was correlated with the disaccharidase activity in a peroral small-intestine biopsy. The incidence of false-positive oral lactose tests was between23 and 30%, that of false-positive oral sucrose tests between 24 and 33 %. A border value of 20 mg per 100 ml in the rise in blood glucose within the first hour following a direct intra-intestinal administration affords a very satisfactory distinction between patients with and without disaccharide malabsorption. Blood glucose determinations exceeding one hour were found to be without diagnostic value.