In the article, we will consider what a test of Benedict is.
Taking feces for carbohydrates is periodically beneficial for every child. At least occasionally, even adults need to do this, because the coprogram allows you to get complete information and timely diagnose certain pathologies, disorders and the development of diseases. One of the most common research methods for detecting carbohydrates in a child's feces is Benedict's test.
Indications for
A test for the content of carbohydrates in feces has an independent value in the diagnosis, but it is often used along with a coprogram, tests for intestinal dysbiosis and a hereditary marker of lactose intolerance. The study is prescribed to detect lactase deficiency in infants and to determine in adults the origin of abdominal pain, excessive flatulence or chronic diarrhea.
Types of Lactase Deficiency
In feces, carbohydrates predominate in the form of milk sugar (lactose). A certain proportion of lactose remains in an unsplit form in the intestinal lumen, it is it that causes the development of diarrhea, fluid retention, spastic pain in the abdomen and excessive gas formation. As a result, lactase deficiency is formed, characterized by a decrease in the activity of this enzyme.
Its activity in adults is normally approximately 8% of the initial degree. Partial (hypolactasia) and complete (alactasia) lactase deficiency are classified by severity. The disease by origin can be congenital (primary) or acquired (secondary). The second variant of the disorder is formed when enterocytes are damaged.
Study Features
The Benedict test is aimed at studying the mass of feces for disaccharides, sugars, natural disaccharides (maltose), poly- and monosaccharides. The most dangerous are reducing disaccharides - galactose, lactose and maltose.
A study of feces in infants for carbohydrates determines the presence or absence of disturbances in the processes of absorption or breakdown of carbohydrates and lactose.
There are two enzymes (lactose and lactase) that are closely related. If the baby feels a lack of lactase, which breaks down lactose, then breast milk in the baby’s diet is not fully absorbed and is not completely absorbed. Against this background, the development of lactose intolerance occurs , which consists in the inability of the body to process lactose, which causes certain disorders.
Methodology
In order to confirm lactase deficiency, the most commonly used determination of the concentration of carbohydrates in feces is the breakdown of Benedict. Such a study provides information on the general ability of the body to absorb sugar. The test procedure of Benedict is based on a reaction that allows you to establish the presence of carbohydrates with the ability to restore copper through reducing substances from the oxidation state of 2+ to 1+. Maltose, fructose, galactose, lactose and glucose have these functions. The timing of the study ranges from one to two days.
Recommendations for taking biomaterial
To take a test of Benedict, you need the feces of the patient. The child should be removed accordingly. For analysis, material collected taking into account several recommendations is suitable.
Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for collecting bowel movements in advance. But there is nothing complicated in them. The following simple rules should be followed:
- you can not use an enema to exit the bowel movements;
- do not give a laxative to the child;
- samples should be delivered for analysis a maximum of four hours after collection;
- two to three days prior to sampling, medications should not be given;
- adhere to the established feeding regimen;
- for analysis, you need at least one teaspoon of biomaterial;
- new foods are not added to the food before analysis;
- biomaterial must be brought in a special sterile container, it can be purchased at a pharmacy;
- samples from diapers or diapers will not work, as there is a likelihood of obtaining incorrect results, because of which the study of the material for carbohydrates will be incorrect.
Only with these recommendations, the amount of carbohydrates will reflect the real situation. In feces, carbohydrates can tell you about certain defects that you need to deal with right away. If the norm is exceeded and they are contained in a larger quantity than expected, the specialist will prescribe individual therapy to the patient.
What is the Benedict sampling rate?
Results, norm and deviations
In feces, carbohydrates are almost always present. But there is a specific norm of their presence. In feces, there may be a pathological level when you need to quickly begin to be treated.
You can verify the result either by the table, or by contacting a doctor after he receives information about the coprogram. Carbohydrates in the results are indicated as a percentage.
The sample rate of Benedict in an infant is of interest to many parents.
For a baby aged from three months to a year, a norm value is a value from 0 to 0.25%. A result of more than 0.25% is a pathology, with a slight deviation of 0.3-0.5, an average of more than 0.6, a high of more than 1%. Results in infants from birth to three months may be false positive. In children after a year and adults, normal carbohydrates are not detected.
The analysis of the “Benedict test” has a very simple decoding, so parents can guess for themselves whether the indicators are normal or they will need to be treated and restore the digestive system.
You need to understand that a high carbohydrate content is not a diagnosis, but the result of a study. Diagnose it lactase deficiency is finally impossible. Such a violation is characteristic of an imbalance of microflora and an unformed enzymatic system. The main task of a specialist is to normalize the digestive system. How this will be done is determined by the characteristics of the child's body and the specific situation.
Therapy of norm disorders
The determination of carbohydrates in feces is a rather specific test, since this method does not allow differentiating different types of carbohydrate intolerance due to disaccharidase deficiency. The study has an independent diagnostic value in monitoring the choice of diet needed by the patient and screening for lactase deficiency.
With the result of the analysis, you need to contact a therapist, gastroenterologist or pediatrician. Usually, the attending physician then directs the patient to additional studies - a hydrogen test and a coprogram. To correct small deviations, it is important to normalize your diet by using adapted or lactose-free food mixtures that contain little lactose and exclude allergens from the diet.
We examined what a test of Benedict is.