Sucrose Intolerance
What is it?
Sucrose is a disaccharide, a combination of fructose and glucose. Children with sucrose intolerance are unable to digest sucrose due to lack of sucrase enzymes which help to break down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Undigested sucrose in the small bowel travels to the large bowel where it is fermented by intestinal bacteria. As a result, excess gas production of hydrogen, methane or hydrogen sulfide and short-chain fatty acids are formed which can cause abdominal bloating, flatulence, burping, halitosis and abdominal cramps.
How common is it?
We do not know the exact incidence of sucrose intolerance. The inherited form of sucrose intolerance (congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency) is rare, occurring 1 in 5000 of paediatric population.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Sucrose intolerance sufferers experience abdominal bloating, excessive flatulence, burping, abdominal cramps and diarrhea upon consumption of sucrose.
How is it diagnosed?
Sucrose intolerance can be diagnosed by intestinal biopsy to determine sucrase enzyme activity. However, it is more often diagnosed by having a sucrose hydrogen breath test. The patient takes a sucrose solution and is asked to blow into a straw which is connected to the breath test machine. A rise of hydrogen level more than 10 ppm is considered positive. It is non-invasive.
What is the treatment?
The treatment for sucrose intolerance is avoidance of sucrose-containing food such as brown and white sugar, syrup, sweeteners, fizzy drinks, confectionery sugars, condiments, beverages and sweets. Patient may benefit from taking sucraid enzyme.
Important notes:
Untreated sucrose intolerance can lead to irritable bowel syndrome in adulthood.
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