Lactose Intolerance in Children

Lactose Intolerance in Children

Lactose is a natural sugar that is found in dairy milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Lactose is digested by lactase, which is a protein (enzyme) in the small intestine.

Some children do not produce enough lactase to digest lactose. This is called lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is different from milk allergy, which is a more serious reaction to the protein in milk.

What are the causes?

Causes of lactose intolerance may include:

  • Getting older. After about 2 years of age, your child’s body naturally begins to produce less lactase.
  • Being born without the ability to make lactase.
  • Early (premature) birth.
  • Digestive diseases such as gastroenteritis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • Surgery or injury to the small intestine.
  • Infection in the large or small intestine.
  • Certain antibiotic medicines and cancer treatments.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Lactose intolerance can cause discomfort within 30 minutes to 2 hours after your child eats or drinks something that contains lactose. Symptoms may include:

  • Nausea.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Cramps or pain in the abdomen.
  • Fussiness.
  • A full, tight, or painful feeling in the abdomen (bloating).
  • Gas.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

  • Your child’s symptoms and medical history.
  • Lactose tolerance test. This test involves drinking a lactose solution and then having blood tests to measure the amount of glucose in the blood. If your child’s blood glucose level does not go up, it means that his or her body is not able to digest the lactose.
  • Lactose breath test (hydrogen breath test). This test involves drinking a lactose solution and then exhaling into a type of bag while the solution is digested. Having a lot of hydrogen in the breath can be a sign of lactose intolerance.
  • Stool acidity test. This involves drinking a lactose solution and then having stool samples tested for bacteria. Having a lot of bacteria causes stool to be considered acidic, which is a sign of lactose intolerance.

How is this treated?

There is no treatment to improve the body’s ability to produce lactase. However, you can manage your child’s symptoms at home by:

  • Limiting or avoiding dairy milk, dairy products, and other sources of lactose.
  • Having your child take lactase tablets when he or she eats or drinks milk products. Lactase tablets are over-the-counter medicines that help to improve lactose digestion. You may also add lactase drops to regular milk.
  • Adjusting your child’s diet, such as having your child drink lactose-free milk or formula.

Lactose tolerance varies from person to person. Some children may be able to eat or drink small amounts of products that contain lactose, and other children may need to avoid everything that contains lactose. Talk with your child’s health care provider about what treatment is best for your child.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Limit or avoid foods, beverages, and medicines that contain lactose, as told by your child’s health care provider. Keep track of which foods, beverages, or medicines cause symptoms so you can help your child avoid those things in the future.
  • Read food and medicine labels carefully. Avoid products that contain:
    • Lactose.
    • Milk solids.
    • Casein.
    • Whey.
  • Talk with your child’s health care provider before you choose a substitute for milk.
  • Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines (including lactase tablets) only as told by your child’s health care provider.
  • If your child stops eating and drinking dairy products (eliminates dairy from his or her diet), make sure he or she gets enough protein, calcium, and vitamin D from other foods. Work with your child’s health care provider or a diet and nutrition specialist (dietitian) to make sure your child gets enough of those nutrients.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child has no relief from symptoms after you have helped him or her to eliminate milk products and other sources of lactose.

Get help right away if:

  • There is a lot of blood in your child’s stool.
  • Your child has severe abdomen (abdominal) pain.

Summary

  • Lactose is a natural sugar that is found in dairy milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Lactose is digested by lactase, which is a protein (enzyme) in the small intestine.
  • Some children do not produce enough lactase to digest lactose. This is called lactose intolerance.
  • Lactose intolerance can cause discomfort within 30 minutes to 2 hours after your child eats or drinks something that contains lactose.
  • Have your child limit or avoid foods, beverages, and medicines that contain lactose, as told by your child’s health care provider.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856