title: The development of methane production in childhood and adolescence.
abstract: Methane concentration in the expired air was analyzed in 393 infants, children, and adolescents. There was no methane production below the age of 3 years. In the age group 3-4 years, 6.4% of the children produced methane. The percentages were 14.3-18.2% in children aged 7-14. A rise in methane production to 39.4-45.9% was recorded from age 14 to 18, as compared with 49.4% in adults in Israel. The reasons for these changes in methane production with age are not known. Alterations in the colonic flora or the production of a specific substrate(s) are the main possibilities. In our opinion, the latter possibility deserves further investigation.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D001944:Breath Tests; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D008697:Methane