Lactose and milk intolerance in recurrent abdominal pain of childhood.

Lactose tolerance test (LTT) was performed in 70 children with idiopathic recurrent abdominal pain (IRAP) and 50 matched controls. The prevalence of lactose malabsorption in the IRAP patients (47.1%) was significantly higher than in controls (18%). When milk was withheld for a 4 week period, 33% (11/33) of lactose malabsorbers and 16.2% (6/37) of lactose absorbers were relieved of their symptoms, the difference being insignificant. The limitations of standard oral lactose tolerance test are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]