Lactase deficiency

Question 1

Where does lactase work

Answer 1

intestinal brush border to digest lactose in milk and milk products into glucose and galactose

Question 2

What is primary lactase deficiency

Answer 2

• age dependent decline after childhood (absence of lactase persistent allele)
• common in Asian, African, Native Americans

Question 3

What is secondary lactase deficiency

Answer 3

loss of intestinal brush border

• gastroenteritis (rotavirus)
• AI disease

Question 4

What is congenital lactase deficiency

Answer 4

rare, d/t defective gene

Question 5

What tests would you see in lactase deficiency

Answer 5

• acidic stool
• increased hydrogen in breath w/lactose hydrogen breath test
• intestinal biopsy shows normal mucosa in hereditary lactose intolerance