Sugar intolerance is a hereditary condition that typically begins showing signs in early childhood, especially when the child begins eating solid foods. If you suspect that your child may be sugar intolerant, talk with your pediatrician for testing and a clinical diagnosis. Sugar intolerance is a serious medical condition, which could lead to complications that could affect your child's long-term health if left untreated. If both parents of a child are intolerant to sugar, there is a 25 percent chance that the child will also have sugar intolerance, according to MedlinePlus.
Sugar Intolerance
Sugar intolerance, also called hereditary fructose intolerance, is a digestive condition that is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme aldolase B. When you eat foods, your body creates enzymes that break down the sugars and proteins in the food so that your body can absorb them. If your body doesn't produce the appropriate enzymes, the sugar or protein found in a food may go undigested. The undigested sugar will cause irritation and swelling to occur throughout the digestive system. Sugar intolerance primarily refers to fructose, the sugar found in honey, fruit and syrup.
Symptoms In Childhood
Because the condition is hereditary, symptoms will typically develop in early childhood. Some symptoms are similar to other conditions, which may lead you to confuse the symptoms with another medical disorder. Common symptoms of hereditary fructose intolerance in children are dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating and gas. As the condition worsens, your child may develop jaundice, poor feeding, vomiting, excessive sleepiness, convulsions and may become irritable, according to PubMed Health.
Treatment
Sugar intolerance is a chronic condition that is incurable. The only way to treat the condition is to avoid all sugar in the child's diet. Sugar, especially fructose, is found in a wide range of foods and may be difficult to eliminate without the help and direction from a licensed dietician. While fructose is naturally occurring in fruit, it is also man-made and added to most packaged foods. MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding powdered sugar, table sugar, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, flavored water, flavored milk beverages, honey, fruit juice and sodas.
Caution
Sugar intolerance in children is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated. If you fail to treat the condition, complications can lead to excessive bleeding, liver disease, liver failure, gout, general illness, low blood sugar and even death.
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