Milk intolerance in young Ethiopian school children
Sterky, G.; Freij, L.; Gobezi, A.; Afework, B.; Chichaybelu, F.
Ethiopian Medical Journal 11(1): 25-32
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-1755 PMID: 4801621 Document Number: 62044
There is known to be a high incidence of lactose malabsorption among school children in Addis Ababa. Among 100 children aged 6-10 yr, 70% did not consume any milk at home. Abdominal symptoms increased 3-fold among 164 children aged 4-7 yr, at 2 schools, following the introduction of regular school milk feeding (250 ml/day). However, the symptoms disappeared after a few weeks and a temporary intolerance to milk was considered to be the most likely explanation. The pros and cons of school milk feeding programmes are discussed in the light of these results.