LETTER TO THE EDITOR: PDF Only
Milk Lactose Malabsorption in Gabon Measured by the Breath Hydrogen Test
First published: 01 May 1989
Summary
It is usual to consider that the greatest part of the black African population is lactose intolerant. Also, milk lactose malabsorption was studied by a breath hydrogen technique in 87 Gabonese children and 20 Gabonese adults (central Africa). The prevalence of malabsorption was 64.2% in rural schoolchildren, 65% in the urban hospitalized, and 60% in adults. Twelve children and six adults had clinical symptoms after a lactose load. All subjects were Bantus, with no tradition of consuming dairy products. These data must be considered in programs of nutritional support in Africa.
