Roentgenographic observation of gas-fluid levels in the colon of children with abdominal pain and malabsorption of lactose.

Gas-fluid levels in the colon observed in radiographs are abnormal and usually indicate serious gastrointestinal disease. Colonic gas-fluid levels associated with concurrent abdominal pain and malabsorption of lactose, documented by lactose breath hydrogen testing, were observed in five children. Incomplete lactose absorption is a relatively benign condition that can be added to the differential diagnosis of gas-fluid levels in the colon and may account for some cases of spontaneous resolution of clinical and radiologic signs in children presenting with acute recurrent abdominal pain.