title: Carbohydrate intolerance after acute gastroenteritis--a disappearing problem in Polish children.
abstract: The prevalence of carbohydrate intolerance in Polish children during an acute episode of gastroenteritis was determined. One hundred and seven consecutive children, less than 3 years old, with acute diarrhoea were enrolled into the study. Carbohydrate intolerance (diagnostic criteria: >0.5% reducing substances and stool pH less than 5.5) was diagnosed in 14/107 (13.08%) children: lactose intolerance was present in 12 (11.2%) patients; glucose polymer intolerance in 1 (0.93%) and monosaccharide intolerance in 1 (0.93%). The most important predisposing factor was rotavirus. In all cases the carbohydrate intolerance was transient, resolving within 5 days. Carbohydrate intolerance is also an infrequent problem in Polish children. Restriction of lactose-containing foods (use of lactose-free or low lactose formulas) for the majority of children with gastroenteritis does not seem to be justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Warsaw Medical School Hospital, Poland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Szajewska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kantecki
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antoniewicz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification