Some mothers face the fact that babies who are breast-fed often get naughty after eating. Despite the fact that a woman eats properly and fully, and the baby receives a sufficient amount of breast milk, he does not gain weight. The causes of these symptoms can be different. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes certain studies, including biochemical ones. Analysis of feces for carbohydrates in infants helps to identify various disorders in the intestines. Such problems in children under one year of age are quite common, requiring special attention.
Carbohydrate Stool Test
An experienced pediatrician can quickly make a preliminary diagnosis in the presence of certain symptoms. To confirm it and determine the course of the disease, specific tests are prescribed. Determining the carbohydrate content in feces in infants is a biochemical study of fecal matter that allows you to identify the ability of the intestine to digest and absorb sugar.
To formulate a conclusion, the test can be used both independently and in combination with other studies: coprogram, intestinal dysbiosis, blood test for lactose intolerance.
Carbohydrates in feces are in the form of milk sugar. This disaccharide in the small intestine under the action of lactase (an enzyme involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates in milk) is broken down into glucose and galactose. Part of the lactose does not break down and remains in the intestinal lumen. This leads to the development of increased gas formation, diarrhea, colic in the abdomen. In babies, a decrease in lactase activity occurs, lactase deficiency develops. Most often, pathology is observed in premature infants.
Using a test to determine carbohydrates in feces, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and hypolactosia are detected. The study is widely used in pediatrics and gastroenterology.
In what cases is an analysis of feces for carbohydrates in infants
The main indication for the study is the suspicion of the formation of lactase deficiency in the child. A preliminary diagnosis is made based on the following symptoms:
- Underweight in a child with normal nutrition.
- Lag in physical and mental development.
- Infant colic, bloating.
- Frequent loose and frothy stools.
- Regular regurgitation.
- Nausea.
- Short superficial sleep.
- Frequent night crying for no apparent reason.
Also indications for the test are:
- Diseases of the small intestine: enteritis, celiac disease.
- Pathology of the pancreas: pancreatitis.
- Congenital fermentopathy.
- Poorly treatable iron deficiency anemia.
A contraindication for the study of feces for carbohydrates in infants is the age of the baby up to 3 months. During this period, enzymatic processes are formed in the intestine (enzymes are formed), so the results may be uninformative.
Study preparation
The reliability of the analysis for carbohydrates in feces in infants depends on the proper preparation for the test. Some special actions are not required for this, you just need to observe some rules:
- The baby's nutrition should remain the same. For 1-2 days, it is worthwhile to delay the introduction of new complementary foods.
- If the baby is breast-fed, the mixture should not be changed until the results are obtained.
- The results may be affected by the mental state of the child. It is necessary to try to ensure a healthy sleep for the baby.
- The container, diaper or oilcloth should be prepared in advance.
How to collect biomaterial
Feces for carbohydrates in infants are collected in the morning. The child is placed on an oilcloth or napkin and waiting for bowel movement to occur. Defecation should be natural. The use of laxatives (suppositories, enemas) is unacceptable, as this distorts the result. Also, you can not collect feces from the diaper. Special grease located on its upper layer affects the information content of the results.
The biomaterial is collected in a container with a special spatula in the amount of approximately two spoons. Biomaterial must be taken to the laboratory within 4-5 hours after collection. It is allowed to store feces for not more than 8 hours in a refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees Celsius.
How is the test conducted?
To determine the carbohydrate content in feces, the Benedict method is used. The test reflects the body's ability to absorb glucose and carbohydrates. The principle of analysis is to identify the ability of sugars to act as a catalyst. They can, using impurities and additives, restore copper from the oxidation state of 2+ to 1+.
A certain amount of distilled water is added to the biomaterial and centrifuged. A chemical substance, the so-called Benedict reagent, is added to the resulting sample. It consists of a mixture of water, copper sulfate, sodium carbonate and sodium citrate. After addition, the oxidative reaction is observed, during which the staining process takes place. The data are interpreted as follows:
- Blue color - the concentration of carbohydrates is less than 0.05%.
- Turquoise color - 0-0.05%.
- Green –0.6-1%.
- Light green - 1.1-1.5%.
- Yellow - 1.6-2.5%.
- Orange - 2.5-3.5%.
- Red - the carbohydrate content in the feces of infants is 4.0%.
Normal values
With the help of research, not only the content of carbohydrates is determined. The degree of acidity of feces, the concentration of protein, aliphatic omega acids, and white blood cells are also revealed. Test results can usually be obtained 1-2 days after the biomaterial is submitted to the study. Normally, in infants, carbohydrates in feces should not exceed 0.25%. A preliminary diagnosis depends on how much the result is exceeded:
- Deviations from 0.3 to 0.5% are considered small and are not a reason for prescribing therapy.
- At values of 0.6, an observation is performed. If symptoms worsen, a second analysis is prescribed. The condition of the child is evaluated jointly by the mother and the pediatrician.
- With an indicator of more than 1%, an additional set of examinations is prescribed to identify the cause and purpose of therapy.
Increased rates
The carbohydrate content of feces in infants 0.2-0.4 is considered a slight deviation. Even with this excess, the pediatrician can make adjustments to his diet, and if necessary, prescribe certain medications.
The causes of increased carbohydrates in feces in infants are various intestinal dysfunctions. These include:
- Imbalance of intestinal microflora.
- Enzymatic pancreatic insufficiency , characterized by impaired absorption and breakdown of carbohydrates.
- Congenital intolerance to disaccharides.
- Transient lactase deficiency, in which the production of an enzyme is reduced (due to damage to enterocytes). It is this form of lactose disaccharide intolerance that is most often the cause of increased carbohydrates in the feces in children up to a year. Pathology develops due to exposure to rotavirus.
What affects the performance
If the carbohydrates in the feces of the baby are elevated, do not immediately panic. Pathology is easily treatable, despite serious clinical manifestations. In some cases (rarely), the result is false positive. There are several reasons for this:
- Improper biomaterial intake: feces taken from the diaper, non-compliance with storage rules.
- On the eve of the analysis, the baby was fed a low-lactase mixture.
- The use of antibacterial drugs during the test.
Additional analyzes
The conclusion that the child has lactase deficiency, doctors do not put on the basis of clinical manifestations and the results of one analysis. To confirm the pathology and the appointment of adequate therapy, the pediatrician prescribes a comprehensive examination:
- Coprogram. The analysis assesses the ability to digest food and the enzymatic activity of the digestive system.
- Large intestine biopsy. Using biopsy, biomaterial samples are obtained for further histological examination.
- Analysis for dysbiosis. Various pathogenic organisms can interfere with the normal absorption of lactose.
- Clinical blood test. The increased content of ESR and white blood cells suggests the presence of an inflammatory process.
- Blood for biochemistry (glucose, bilirubin).
- Test for immunoglobulin E.
- Analysis of feces for helminthiasis.
Abnormal Treatment
Based on the results of the tests, the pediatrician prescribes treatment. At the age of one year, this particular specialist is the main one for the child. A gastroenterologist can give only additional advice, but the pediatrician determines the therapy. Self-treatment at this age can pose a threat not only to health, but also to the life of the child.
If the carbohydrates in feces in infants are elevated due to lactase deficiency, then treatment is prescribed. Therapy at an early age has its own characteristics:
- The basis is medical nutrition. It consists in the almost complete exclusion of products containing lactose. In some cases, you even have to abandon natural breastfeeding and switch to lactose-free mixtures.
- The use of drugs containing the enzyme lactase: "Lactazar", "Maxylate", "Tilactase".
- Porridge during feeding is introduced dairy-free. Sour milk products are allowed in a minimal amount.
Control of diet therapy is carried out using a carbohydrate analysis in the feces.
Lactase deficiency monitoring
Children with congenital lactose intolerance are forced to follow a diet and take drugs containing the lactase enzyme for life. With a transient form of the disease, the prognosis for recovery is favorable. Most babies return to breastfeeding and normally tolerate products containing milk sugar.
The sufficient effectiveness of treatment is judged by the child’s weight gain, the disappearance of dyspeptic symptoms, the normal rate of mental and physical development. After the course, the doctor prescribes a second analysis for carbohydrates.
If the first symptoms of lactase deficiency occur in a baby, you should immediately contact a pediatrician. Poor digestibility of sugars can be the result of serious pathologies. Delaying with treatment contributes to the transition of the disease into a chronic form that is difficult to treat.