title: [Methodological aspects of the use of the hydrogen (H2) breath test].
abstract: Normalization of the breath hydrogen (H2) concentration by simultaneous determination of breath carbon dioxide (CO2) and the addition of lactulose to a liquid meal have been recommended to improve the reproducibility of the hydrogen breath test. To assess the clinical relevance of these recommendations, we studied 64 children of 4 different age groups and 12 adults. Simultaneous determination of CO2 concentration and normalization of breath H2 resulted in a marked decrease of intestinal transit time and its variation in children; in adults, however, this correction was negligible. With lactulose alone, the mean coefficient of variation within individuals was only 11.7% and 13.2%, with and without H2 normalization, respectively. Therefore, the addition of a liquid meal does not seem to be necessary.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen; D007223:Infant; D007792:Lactulose; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D007792:Lactulose; D006859:Hydrogen
vernacular_title: Methodische Aspekte zur Anwendung des Wasserstoff (H2)-Atemtestes.