This blog provides general information and discussion about medicine, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care worker. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, practice or other institution with which the authors are affiliated. DISCLAIMER REGARDING THIRD PARTY LINKS The Site may, from time to time, contain links to other (“third party”) web sites. These links are provided solely as a convenience and not as a guarantee or recomm
A breath hydrogen test provides information about your child's ability to digest certain sugars such as milk sugar (lactose) or fruit sugar (fructose). This will help determine if your child is intolerant to these sugars. The test is also used for detecting abnormal growth of bacteria within the small intestine. Bacterial overgrowth can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal cramps.
The breath hydrogen test is simple, painless and non-invasive. Please observe the following pretest guidlines to assure accurate results.
Preparation For The Test
2 weeks prior to the test:
No oral antibiotics (skin creams, eye and ear drops are OK)
No probiotic supplements. Yogurt is OK until the day before the test.
**If your child is placed on antibiotics prior to the test, please reschedule.
1 week prior to the test:
No stimulant laxatives, antidiarrheals or fiber supplements
May continue Miralax up until the day before the test
The day before the test: your child may consume only the following low fiber foods and drinks:
- plain white bread containing less than 1g fiber (limit 6)
- plain white rice
- plain white potato, no skin
- baked or broiled chicken or fish
- water, non-flavored black coffee or tea
- only salt may be used to flavor food. May use non-stick cooking spray
Not permitted: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, soy or other milk substitutes, legumes, cereals, pastas, spices/flavorings other than salt. No butter, margarine, oil, soda pop/cola, juices, sports drinks.
**For children who receive tube feedings, use only unflavored formulas without fiber or prebiotics.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING ELSE - this could give fasle results for the test.
Stop eating and drinking 12 hours before the test
-may continue to take usual prescription medicines with small amount of water. Do not take Miralax.
The day of your test:
- Do not allow your child to eat or drink anything in the morning.
- Give his/her usual prescription medications with a small amount of water.
- 2 hours before the test, your child should brush his/her teeth thoroughly with water only (with a clean toothbrush).
DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO CHEW GUM OR BE EXPOSED TO CIGARETTE SMOKE FOR 2 HOURS BEFORE OR DURING THE TEST.
DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO LAY DOWN, SLEEP, OR EXERCISE DURING THE TEST PERIOD.
Wait, our GI did not give us these instructions. My daughter took her probiotics the day before her test and ate an unrestricted diet that included several foods on the not permitted list. She also took benefiber throughout the week leading up to her appt.Does this mean we may have a 'false positive'?
ReplyDeleteOur doctor was very strict about following these directions precisely. I would say, yes, you could definitely have a false positive if the prep diet wasn't followed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.metsol.com/fructose-malabsorption/results
At what age can a child complete the hydrogen breath test? We think our little one may have FM.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the child. They have to be able to fast for 12 hours prior to the test...and throughout the 3 hour test. They also need to be cooperative enough to drink a large cup of sweet solution within a given timeframe (I believe they allow 10 minutes). And they need to know how to blow into the testing bag (similar to blowing up a balloon, but not as difficult). The lab we go to said they have seen kiddos as young as 14 months, but that isn't the norm. My daughter was 4 when she had her first breath test and maybe could have done it at 3-1/2, but not much younger than that.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you don't have a test bag can you blow directly into the tube?
ReplyDeleteWe have done the breath test at home with tubes (ordered by a naturopath), but our new GI doesn't feel like that testing method is as accurate as the bag collection. You could give it a try though. We were able to get a positive result with the tubes.
Delete