Do you know about lactose intolerance?

Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance is when the body is not able to digest some or all of the sugar lactose, which can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea after drinking milk and other dairy products or due to lactase enzyme deficiency.

Lactose intolerance is different from a food allergy to milk, and from a cow’s milk protein allergy.

What cause lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine does not make enough lactase enzyme, which prevents the body from breaking down or digesting lactose.

Lactose intolerance can happen to both children and adults. Some common causes include:

• Digestive illness or infection
• Injury to the small intestine
• Family history of lactose intolerance. In these cases, over time, the body may make less of the enzyme lactase. Symptoms can occur during the teen or adult years.
• Premature babies. This type of lactose intolerance usually goes away after a short time.

In very rare cases, some babies are not able to make any lactase from birth, which is called congenital lactase deficiency.

Who are at risk for Lactose Intolerance?

Children are more at risk of developing lactose intolerance if:

• Premature babies
• African-American, Jewish, Mexican-American, American Indian, or Asian-American
• Having a family history of lactose intolerance. Symptoms can occur during the teen or adult years.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Symptoms usually begin to appear in Caucasian children after age 5. They appear in African-American children as young as 2 years old.

Symptoms begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating foods or drinks that contain lactose. Each child’s symptoms can be different. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal discomfort or nausea
• Stomach cramps
• Distention
• Stomach-ache
• Bloating / farting
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Vomiting, which occurs more often in adolescents

The severity of symptoms depends on how much lactose the child has used and also on how much lactase the child’s body makes.

What are the complications of lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance will not hurt the child’s body. Although causing unpleasant symptoms, most are not too serious. Children can live with lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance can cause unpleasant symptoms. But in most cases, there’s no need to eliminate all foods with lactose from your child’s diet. By monitoring a child’s symptoms, parents can find out what foods their child can tolerate and tell them which foods to avoid.

When removing foods from a child’s diet, parents must replace them with other foods that provide the necessary nutrients. Also, make sure your child gets enough calcium and vitamin D.

How is lactose intolerance treated?

Treatment will depend on the symptoms, age and general health of the child, and on the severity of the condition.

Parents can manage their child’s symptoms with a lactose-restricted diet. Your child may not have to stop eating all foods with lactose. The doctor may also recommend that the parent give the child lactase enzyme.

Here are some tips for managing lactose in your child’s diet:

• Start slowly. After a week of limiting foods with lactose, try adding small amounts of milk or dairy products back into your child’s diet. Monitor your child for any symptoms. Make a note of which foods your child can handle and which foods he or she should avoid. If the baby is still breastfed, do not stop breastfeeding.

• Use milk and dairy products with other foods. Parents may find their child has fewer symptoms if they drink milk or dairy products with meals. Have your child try cheese with crackers or give him/her milk with cereal.
• Choose dairy products that are naturally low in lactose, such as hard cheeses and yogurt.
• Learn about lactose-free and reduced-lactose milk and dairy products. Maybe these products are just like regular milk and dairy products, but they have the enzyme lactase added.
• Ask about lactase products. Talk to your doctor about whether to give your baby lactase tablets or lactase drops in the presence of dairy products.

Take your child to see a gastroenterologist or dietitian to monitor his condition. Talk to the specialist about products or diets that you are finding helpful to your child.

Summary of key points about lactose intolerance

• Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot easily break down or digest the sugar lactose. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products.
• It happens when the small intestine doesn’t make enough of a digestive juice, or enzyme, called lactase.
• Children may have unpleasant symptoms after eating or drinking milk or dairy products.
• Parents can manage their child’s symptoms by limiting foods with lactose.
• It is recommended to consult a doctor – a nutritionist for appropriate advice.
• Children and teenagers need calcium and vitamin D for strong and healthy bones

References: synthesis

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