Lactose Intolerance in Singapore

摘要: Primary lactose intolerance has been described with varying frequency in different ethnic groups. A high incidence was Chinese students resident Australia. study therefore undertaken on an indigenous Asian population Singapore to establish the and age of onset together its relationship intake. Ninety-eight subjects ranging from 1 42 years were studied glucose tolerance tests. Intestinal mucosal biopsies assayed for lactase, sucrase, maltase activity examined by dissecting light microscopy. Barium-lactose meals xylose absorption tests also performed. detailed history milk intake birth taken relate appearance or nonappearance continued after weaning. Lactose found be universal 10 years. Before this there increasing age, particularly 4 secondary cause lactase deficiency excluded all except 6 finding normal jejunal mucosa microscopy, absorption, The correlation barium-lactose intestinal reasonable adults but poor children. It shown that, tolerant children, 75% drinkers 25% non-milk drinkers. Sixty-one per cent lactoseintolerant children while 39% Intolerance appeared at earlier There is controversy whether primary due a genetic enzyme adaptive. weaning would support theory adaptation.