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Lactose intolerance symptoms are a major concern for parents. Many children and even adults struggle with this issue. Lactose intolerance in children occurs due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, a natural enzyme in the digestive system responsible for breaking down lactose. Recognizing the correct signs and symptoms is crucial to determine if your child is affected. Lactose intolerance symptoms are a major concern for parents. Many children and even adults struggle with this issue. Lactose intolerance in children occurs due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, a natural enzyme in the digestive system responsible for breaking down lactose. Recognizing the correct signs and symptoms is crucial to determine if your child is affected.
What causes lactose intolerance symptoms?
Lactose intolerance in children can result from various reasons depending on their age. Possible reasons include premature birth, congenital lactase deficiency, primary lactase deficiency, and secondary lactase deficiency.
Preterm birth
Factors leading to lactose intolerance risk in babies
Although lactose intolerance is not common in newborns, some babies born before 34 weeks (preterm) often experience digestive issues. They may lack the enzyme lactase and other enzymes needed to digest food. While these enzymes may develop later as the baby grows.
Congenital lactase deficiency
In rare cases, some infants are born unable to tolerate lactose, a condition known as congenital lactase deficiency. These infants are often diagnosed early as they typically experience severe diarrhea and fail to thrive. Therefore, you will know early on if your child has this condition.
Congenital lactase enzyme deficiency
The most common cause of lactose intolerance in children is congenital lactase enzyme deficiency. These children lack sufficient lactase enzyme, and the amount they have may decrease as they grow older. Approximately 65-70% of the world's population is affected by congenital lactase deficiency, which is a genetic condition. It is highly prevalent in people of Asian and African descent, as well as Native Americans. While congenital lactase enzyme deficiency can manifest as early as age 2, symptoms may not be noticeable until adolescence.
Secondary lactase enzyme deficiency
Other children may experience secondary lactase enzyme deficiency after illness. Any condition that damages the small intestine, such as enteritis, can lead to temporary or long-term lactase deficiency. Infants under 3 months old are at higher risk of being affected by this. This can result in more severe diarrhea and poor growth.
Children with lactose intolerance due to lactase enzyme deficiency
Conditions like Crohn's disease or celiac disease can also lead to lactase deficiency. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine when exposed to gluten, and it may also be related to temporary lactose intolerance. Babies with celiac disease may tolerate lactose-containing foods once the intestinal lining heals with strict gluten-free diet adherence. Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder, which may also be associated with lactose intolerance. This often improves with treatment.
Signs of lactose intolerance
If your child is lactose intolerant, consuming more lactose-containing products will result in more symptoms. Here are some signs of lactose intolerance to watch out for, especially after your child drinks milk or consumes dairy products:
- Looser and more foamy stools than usual
- Diarrhea is the most prominent sign of lactose intolerance. Almost every child with lactose intolerance will experience diarrhea.
- Bloating and flatulence
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and cramps
Signs of lactose intolerance
Parents sometimes confuse signs of lactose intolerance with a milk allergy. Although they share some similar symptoms, they are fundamentally different issues. Milk allergy is a serious immune system reaction that often occurs in the first year of life. On the other hand, lactose intolerance is a digestive issue in children. Signs of lactose intolerance may begin to appear in late childhood or adolescence, becoming more pronounced as the child grows older. Despite the discomfort lactose intolerance may cause, it is only a non-threatening disorder with no long-term complications. Some children outgrow lactose intolerance over time. Symptoms can be managed by limiting certain lactose-containing foods in the child's diet.
Ways to alleviate lactose intolerance symptoms
Once you've identified the signs of lactose intolerance in your child, it's time for parents to find appropriate solutions. Children can manage lactose intolerance by reducing their intake of lactose-containing milk (cow's milk, etc.) and consuming fewer dairy products. Specifically, you need to pay attention to the following issues:
Things to consider in your child's diet
- Your child can still drink milk but should only consume a small amount, approximately ½ cup per meal.
Children with lactose intolerance need to focus on consuming more calcium-rich foods
- Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods that do not contain milk, such as broccoli, beans, tofu, or soy milk. Providing your child with low-lactose hard cheese is also an effective strategy.
- Yogurt contains easily digestible compounds and is much less likely to cause lactose-related issues.
- Check food labels before giving them to your child. Lactose is added to some canned, packaged, frozen, and processed foods. Some foods may contain lactose, such as butter, cheese, cream, condensed milk, powdered milk, and milk powder…
- You can help your child keep track of which foods they should avoid to prevent lactose intolerance issues.
Give your child lactose-free milk - milk that has had lactose removed. Depending on the mother's condition, you can choose milk that removes only part or all of the lactose.
Supplement digestive enzymes and probiotics for your child
Signs of lactose intolerance are mostly symptoms when a child cannot digest the lactose in milk. Therefore, there are 2 solutions that mothers can consider:
Remind your child to take supplemental lactase enzyme before consuming dairy products. They are often produced in drop or tablet form and can even be added to milk. However, digestive enzymes should not be supplemented for too long or overdosed. Therefore, parents should use them as directed by a doctor and pharmacist.
Probiotics participate in lactose digestion
Give your child digestive enzymes. Probiotics provide a large amount of beneficial bacteria for your child. They help quickly alleviate diarrhea by balancing the gut microbiota. At the same time, they secrete digestive enzymes, including lactase, to break down lactose. As a result, lactose intolerance symptoms gradually decrease and disappear.
Recognizing lactose intolerance symptoms is essential for parents to support their child in avoiding issues related to lactose intolerance. This helps the child to play, eat, and develop comfortably.
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