This breath test is performed to detect lactose malabsorption. This means that lactose, milk sugar, is not digested normally in the small intestine and therefore ferments in the large intestine.
H2 gas is detected in your child’s breath, originating from lactose fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. Your child needs to breathe into a measuring device for this. A clinical sobriety assessment is carried out first. They then need to drink a lactose solution before a measurement is taken every 30 minutes for the next 3 hours.
Lactose intolerance is treated with a diet that avoids products containing lactose. Lactose is found in dairy products. It is also added to many products to improve the texture or shelf life.
On special occasions, it is possible to take lactase supplements in order to tolerate eating some food containing lactose.
