Lactose intolerance is characterized by the body's inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. It is often caused by a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme in the body that breaks down lactose and absorbs it into the bloodstream. According to 2006 information from Babycenter, 30 to 50 million people in the United States are lactose intolerant. Most children do not experience symptoms until late childhood or adulthood; however, it is still possible for your child to show signs of being lactose intolerant.
Cause
Lactose intolerance may be genetic, so your child may be more likely to suffer from it if you do. However, lactose intolerance that develops in infancy or early childhood is more often a result of an injury to the small intestine, which can occur if she has a disease like Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of lactose intolerance typically occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming milk or other dairy products. Your child may experience abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and gas. He may also have diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
Testing
If you suspect that your child is lactose intolerant, remove all dairy products from her diet for two weeks to see if her symptoms improve. Reintroduce the dairy back into her diet in small amounts each day to see if the symptoms return. Your child's doctor may want to perform tests to determine if she is lactose intolerant. He may perform a breath test, which measures hydrogen, produced by undigested lactose in the body. However, tests that measure the acidity in stool are used more often for children.
Management
Many children who are lactose intolerant are still able to tolerate some lactose in their diets. You may need to learn your child's sensitivity over time and determine how much she can consume without experiencing symptoms. Her doctor may recommend over-the-counter lactase drops, and lactose-free versions of milk, cheese and yogurt are available. Keep in mind that your child may need calcium supplements to build her bone density if she is not consuming dairy products.
