Fructose Restricted Diet Improves Quality of Life in Children with Dietary Fructose Intolerance - Abstract
Objectives: Incomplete fructose absorption can result in gastrointestinal distress symptoms in children, which may impact their quality of life; however, this has not been formally studied. This study evaluates whether dietary fructose restriction improves quality of life and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with breath test confirmed fructose intolerance, as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptom Scale (GSS).
Methods: Thirty eight subjects, ages ranging from 8 to 18 years old with a positive hydrogen breath test consistent with fructose intolerance were included. Subjects drank 2 grams of fructose sugar per every kilogram of body weight, with a maximum of 50 grams fructose sugar. Hydrogen was collected every 30 minutes over two hours. Hydrogen production of>20 ppm indicated a positive test. Participants with a positive breath test completed a PedsQL and a GSS assessment worksheet prior to leaving the office on the day of diagnosis. A dietitian then instructed subjects to follow a two-week fructose restricted diet. Subjects were then called exactly 2 weeks after diagnosis, and a post-intervention PedsQL/GSS was administered.