If your child complains of an upset stomach after eating an ice cream treat or drinking a glass of milk, you might wonder if lactose intolerance is to blame.
This is a very prevalent condition in children. The sad part is, parents often misinterpret these symptoms as a child’s excuse to not drink milk or just a tantrum.
In reality, lactose intolerance is much bigger, and parents need to understand their child. That’s why educating yourself on lactose intolerance in children is necessary.
Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a person has difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
When lactose intolerant kids consume dairy products, the lactose travels through their intestines and causes discomfort.
Small amounts of dairy are tolerated by some people. Others suffer from severe stomach problems and must avoid all dairy products.
You can manage lactose intolerance with a variety of foods, drinks, and digestive assistance.
What Happens in Lactose Intolerance in Children?
Lactase, an enzyme found in the small intestine, normally breaks down lactose into simple sugars when we ingest it. These simple sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream and converted into energy.
Lactose intolerance occurs when the body produces insufficient lactase to break down lactose.
Undigested lactose sits in the gut, where bacteria break it down, causing gas, bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
What are the Risk Factors of Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance can develop from a variety of reasons, including:
Ethnic Background
Lactose intolerance is more common in Asian, African, Native American, and Hispanic people when they are young.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Lactase enzyme levels are lower in those with upper small intestinal inflammation, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
Medicines
Some antibiotics can cause temporary lactose intolerance by altering the way lactase is produced in the intestine.
Infection
According to the top pediatrician in Lahore, Dr. Nida Badar “Some people develop a transient lactose intolerance after experiencing diarrhea, which normally goes away after a few days or weeks.”
What are the Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance in Children?
Lactose intolerance manifests itself in a variety of ways. It all relies on how much dairy or milk-containing foods a person consumes, as well as how much lactase their bodies produce.
Lactose intolerance causes the following symptoms 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
How is Lactose Intolerance in Children Diagnosed?
Inquiry about Child’s Symptoms and Nutrition
Doctors inquire about a child’s symptoms and nutrition while diagnosing lactose intolerance. They might check the hydrogen levels in the child’s breath before and after he or she consumes lactose. Research shows that hydrogen tests are the most common tests for diagnosing lactose intolerance in children.
In most cases, only a trace of hydrogen gas can be detected in the breath. Undigested lactose, on the other hand, breaks down in the colon and produces a variety of gasses, including hydrogen.
How is a Hydrogen Breath Test Conducted?
If your child is undergoing a hydrogen breath test, they will first blow into a tube to obtain a sample. Then they’ll consume a lactose-containing drink, wait for some time, and breathe into the tube once more.
For the next two hours, your child will blow into the tube every half hour to test hydrogen levels.
If your child has lactose intolerance, the levels should rise with time.
Endoscopy for Diagnosing Lactose Intolerance in Kids
Doctors can also use an endoscopy test to check for the presence of lactase to see if someone can digest lactose.
Doctors observe the inside of the intestines by introducing a long tube into the mouth with a light and a small camera on the end.
The inside of the intestines can then be photographed and tissue samples taken by a specialist. One of these tissue samples can be used to determine the amount of lactase enzyme present.
How Can You Care for Your Child’s Lactose Intolerance at Home?
Although, the cure for lactose intolerance in children is careful management through life, you can learn some ways to care for your child:
1. Limit the Amount of Milk in Your Child’s Diet
Limit your child’s consumption of milk and milk products.
Encourage your child to consume one glass of milk every day. Make him/her drink little amounts of water several times throughout the day.
All milk includes the same amount of lactose, this can be a glass of whole, low-fat, or skim milk.
If you’re not sure whether a milk product may produce symptoms in your child, give him or her a small quantity and wait to see how he or she reacts before giving more.
2. Combine Solid Food Along With Milk
Allow your child to consume milk and milk products in addition to other foods.
Combining a solid food (like cereal) with a dairy product (like milk) can help some kids feel better.
3. Make Your Child Eat Small Amount of Milk Products
Instead of eating big amounts of milk products all at once, have your child eat modest amounts of milk products throughout the day.
4. Buy Lactose-reduced Products for Your Child
Allow your youngster to consume lactose-reduced milk and milk products.Instead of milk and milk products, have your youngster eat or drink anything else.
You can buy soy beverages and cheese for your kid’s lactose intolerance.
5. Buy Lactase Dietary Supplements
Lactose-digesting supplements are dietary supplements that assist your child in digesting lactose.
Some are pills that your child chews before eating or drinking milk products (such as Lactaid).
Other liquids can be added to milk up to 24 hours before your child consumes it. To find out which ones work best for your child’s lactose intolerance, try a few.
6. Buy Yogurt for Lactose Intolerant Kids
Various lactose-intolerant youngsters can tolerate some types of yogurt, particularly yogurt containing live cultures.
It’s advisable to experiment with a variety of yogurt brands to see which ones work best for your youngster.
7. Keep an Eye Out on the Products You Buy
Keep an eye out for lactose in the foods you purchase.
Breads and baked goods, breakfast cereals, instant potatoes and soups, margarine, salad dressings, and a variety of snacks all contain lactose.
Always read labels for lactose and ‘hidden’ lactose names. Dry milk solids, whey, curds, milk by-products, and nonfat dry milk powder are among them.
8. Try Alternative Calcium Sources for Your Lactose Intolerant Child
Look for calcium in other places.
Calcium-fortified orange juice, almonds, and dark green veggies like broccoli are some of the calcium sources you can give your child.
If you’re concerned that your child isn’t getting enough nutrition, talk to your doctor about calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Takeaway!
Lactose intolerance can be transient in some situations, such as when it arises after a viral infection or when it’s linked to other illnesses like celiac disease.
Lactase levels, for example, can return to normal if celiac disease is treated, and lactose can be tolerated in the diet.
Lactose intolerance in children, on the other hand, is most likely a long-term condition that necessitates dietary changes for many older children and adults to avoid symptoms.
If you want to know more about lactose intolerance in kids, make sure to consult a well-known pediatrician to satisfy your queries. Book an appointment via Healthwire.pk or call at (042) 32500989.
