Sucrase Breath Testing in Children Presenting With Chronic Abdominal Pain.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2020

Identifier

DOI: 10.1177/0009922820942183

Abstract

Sucrase deficiency has been implicated in chronic abdominal pain. Testing for sucrase deficiency generally involves invasive procedures or lengthy clinical visits, but now noninvasive kits that allow home testing are available to test for sucrase deficiency. In order to assess feasibility and utility of at-home testing, we reviewed our experience in 75 consecutive patients. All patients seen in the abdominal pain clinic had histories obtained in a standardized fashion and all had sucrase breath tests completed at home utilizing a commercially available kit. Testing was completed by 46 patients (61.3%). Tests were abnormal indicating sucrase deficiency in 34.8% of those completing testing. No symptoms were predictive of a positive test although there were trends of an association of an abnormal test with diarrhea and bloating. Our findings suggest that sucrase deficiency occurs frequently enough that more widespread testing and/or an empiric trial of sucrose and starch restriction should be considered.

Journal Title

Clinical pediatrics

Volume

59

Issue

13

First Page

1191

Last Page

1194

Keywords

Sucrase; abdominal pain; breath testing

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