A comparison between children with and without secondary disaccharide intolerance and management with a low-cost lactose-free formula

Abstract

Of 637 children with gastroenteritis 112 (17·6%) had secondary disaccharide intolerance. All except one were less than two years of age. Sugar intolerance was significantly correlated with marasmus and oral use of neomycin and occurred less often following acute bacillary dysentery and cholera.

The results of therapy using processed groundnut protein and full-fat soya flour formulae are compared. A groundnut protein formula which was tailored to simulate the energy and protein content of cow's milk was very well tolerated, with prompt cessation of diarrhoea in 96% of children treated; a return to pre-diarrhoeal sugar-containing diets was easily accomplished in over 80% of the children. In 90%, the groundnut protein formula was used for less than seven days and, in a few, for up to three weeks.

In developing countries, where sugar-free formulae are either not readily available or are imported at exorbitant prices, the use of groundnut protein formula is recommended because of its low cost and its ease of preparation from common local foodstuffs.