Bowel dysfunction in cystic fibrosis: importance of breath testing

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of carbohydrate malabsorption and bacterial overgrowth in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and abnormal stool pattern referred for breath hydrogen testing.MethodsResults from 89 tests using lactose, sucrose and lactulose in 54 children with CF were compared with 5430 tests on children with non-CF-related stool abnormalities.ResultsChildren with CF were more frequently unable to ferment lactulose to hydrogen (39% vs. 20%, PConclusionsBacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption, particularly of sucrose, should be considered when assessing children with CF and abnormal stool patterns