COMPARISON OF LACTOSE FREE FORMULA MILK WITH LACTOSE CONTAINING MILK IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the role of lactose free formula milk versus lactose containing milk in the management of acute watery diarrhea.

Study Design: “Quasi-experimental study”.

Place and Duration of Study: “CMH, Rawalpindi from 15 Oct 2023 to 15 March 2024

Patients & Methods: 68 infants who were admitted with diagnosis of “acute watery diarrhea (AWD)” were included in the study and were divided into “Lactose-free milk group” and “Lactose-containing milk group”. Patients were assessed for duration required for achieving diarrhea resolution and frequency of patients who achieved diarrhea resolution in ≤ 3 days and the results were compared between groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20.00.

Results: Mean age was 11.89 ± 6.28 months. There were 43 (63.24%) males and 25 (36.76%) were females. Mean duration of diarrhea was 13.63 ± 3.21 hours. Mean number of stools per day was 8.16 ± 1.32 episodes. 49 (72.06%) patients lived in rural area while 19 (27.94%) patients lived in urban area. Mean duration taken to achieve diarrhea resolution in “lactose-free milk group” was 3.52 ± 1.23 days while in “lactose-containing milk group” it was 5.50 ± 1.67 days, (p < 0.001). Frequency of patients who achieved diarrhea resolution in ≤ 3 days in “lactose-free milk group” was 19 (55.88%) while in “lactose-containing milk group” it was 7 (20.59%), (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: “Lactose-free milk” significantly reduces duration of achieving diarrhea resolution and increases the frequency of patients who achieve diarrhea resolution in ≤ 3 days.