Children with lactose intolerance can't fully enjoy a bowl of ice cream or a cheese pizza. That's because symptoms of physical discomfort usually occur shortly after eating these foods. About 1 out of 10 Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, notes KidsHealth.org, and for children suffering from the condition, parents are the first line of defense in helping to diagnose and manage this problem.
Background
Milk contains a natural sugar called lactose. Your body produces an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down the lactose into sugar. When you have a lack of lactase, lactose remains in your system and causes physical symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and diarrhea following a meal containing lactose. One or more of these symptoms following consumption of milk or its byproducts, such as ice cream, is a clinical sign of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance can develop at different times during childhood and it varies with race. While the symptom onset of lactase-deficiency usually begins in late adolescence and early adulthood, when it does occur in children, the typical age of onset is before age 5 in Hispanic, Asian and African-American children and after the age of 4 or 5 in Caucasian children.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of lactose intolerance generally begin 30 minutes to 2 hours following a meal that contains dairy. If you notice these symptoms consistently in your child, consult with your pediatrician. You can also test out your suspicions by removing milk products from your child's meals for 2 weeks. Watch for symptom improvement and then slowly re-introduce eliminated foods one by one to see if symptoms return. Your pediatrician can also perform a lactose breath test, called a hydrogen breath test, to confirm suspicions. If, after drinking a lactose solution, your child's breath measures high levels of hydrogen, it may mean lactose isn't being properly digested.
Management
No cure for lactose intolerance exists, but lifestyle and diet modifications can make a major difference. Because lactose intolerance causes symptoms of differing degrees in each person, you and your child can determine how much, if any, milk products she can tolerate. Some individuals can consume some lactose if it doesn't comprise the bulk of the meal such as a little cheese on top of a salad. Additionally, some foods trigger more of a reaction than others. A process of trial and error during meals can help you and your child establish what is okay to eat. Lactase is also available as an over-the-counter preparation that your child can consume before eating a meal with lactose. As some non-dairy products and prepared foods contain lactose, it's important to read ingredient lists to determine if lactose is in a food. Because milk products are an important calcium source, removing them to any degree will affect your calcium intake. Make sure your child makes up for this by consuming calcium-rich foods including kale, broccoli, bok choy, almonds, spinach or tofu. Milk products that are lactose-free or reduced-lactose are also available. Talk to your doctor to determine if calcium supplements are necessary.
Lactose Intolerance versus Milk Allergy
Milk allergy and lactose intolerance share some similar symptoms, but are different conditions. While lactose intolerance is a digestive condition, milk allergy is an immune condition caused by a reaction to certain proteins in milk products. Milk allergy often causes itchiness, hives, runny nose and itchy eyes, while lactose intolerance does not. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that milk allergy is reported in 2 to 5 percent of infants within 1 to 3 months of age, and typically resolves before a child's first birthday. A milk allergy requires completely avoiding milk products; an allergy test can confirm a diagnosis.
