Lactose Intolerance in Children

Most children enjoy a glass of milk or a cool ice cream at lunch, for others it means an afternoon of cramps, gas, and diarrhoea or even breathing difficulties.

Children who experience this kind of discomfort after consuming dairy products, are most likely lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is caused by problems digesting lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk products, and is manageable with some modifications to the diet. If you suspect that your child is lactose intolerant, consult with your child's doctor so that he/she can advise you on how to alleviate the symptoms.

WHAT IS LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?

The body produces an enzyme, called lactase, which breaks down lactose into smaller sugars. When the body is unable to produce or produces too little of this enzyme, the person is said to be lactose intolerant. A lack of lactase in the body means that lactose cannot be broken down in the small intestine. Lactose then passes into the large intestine where bacteria ferment it into gases and acids. This process can cause cramps, abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhoea about 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming any foods or drinks that contain lactose.

Some children experience very severe symptoms and their systems cannot tolerate any lactose. Others just have to limit their lactose intake because their symptoms are milder.

WHO IS AT RISK OF LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?

People of Asian, African, Native American, and Hispanic descent seem to be more likely to be lactose intolerant than others. For most people, lactose intolerance remains a lifelong problem, however for some children, it can be a temporary condition that begins after they take certain antibiotics or have gastrointestinal infections and it eventually clears up.

DIAGNOSING LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Doctors usually diagnose lactose intolerance by doing a hydrogen breath test. This test is very simple; the child blows into a tube to give a sample of the breath, he then gives another sample after drinking a lactose solution or eating a lactose-containing food. Children who are lactose intolerant, will show a higher than average level of hydrogen and methane in the breath. Undigested lactose leads to higher levels of these gases in the system, and they can be detected in the breath.

In addition to the breath test, doctors will do a physical exam and take a full medical history to rule out any other medical conditions.

LIVING WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

The severity of lactose intolerance can vary widely between children. Each case is different; therefore there is no simple way of dealing with it. Each child needs to learn the strategies that work best for them depending on his or her symptoms and how much, if any, lactase the body produces. A food diary can help you figure out what foods and drinks your child's system can and cannot tolerate.

Doctors recommend that children who are lactose intolerant consume some dairy products in order to get the calcium, vitamin D, and protein they need to grow strong and healthy. Many children with lactose intolerance can have small amounts of dairy products; these should be consumed in combination with other foods that do not contain lactose. Also, kids with lactose intolerance may find that other dairy products, such as yoghurt and cheeses, are easier to digest than milk. Other options include lactose free milk and milk products specifically made for people with this condition.

Serve and encourage your child to eat other calcium-rich foods like broccoli, turnip greens, salmon, almonds, soybeans, dried fruit, fortified orange juice, and tofu.