How to identify lactose intolerance in babies? Symptoms, signs and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Lactose intolerance in infants is recognized as a pathological condition in which there is a lack of enzymes in the intestines that promote the digestion and assimilation of lactose. Alactasia, or their complete absence, is a fairly rare condition. Most often, doctors diagnose an enzyme deficiency at an early age in the patient. This leads to the formation of hypolactosia. Sometimes parents refer to this problem as a milk allergy.

Briefly about lactose and its properties

Lactose intolerance in infants is, unfortunately, not so rare. This leads to difficulties in feeding them. The milk of any mammal, including humans and cows, contains carbohydrate, which comes from the process of splitting galactose and sucrose. The result is lactose or milk sugar. It is an indispensable source of energy for the baby and a tool for its development. Lactose has many he alth benefitsproperties:

• Helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
• Support for the normal microflora of the intestinal tract. Lactobacilli require an environment to function, which is provided by the consumption of lactose.
• Support the normal functioning of the nervous system.
• Promotes more complete absorption of calcium.
• Plays a big role in the growth and development of muscle tissue.

It is known that breast milk contains the most lactose. About 6.5% of the substance is recorded in its composition. Cow also has a lot of this carbohydrate - about 4.5%. But in fermented milk products, the disaccharide is almost always absent, or found in a very small amount.

Features of enzyme production

Lactose intolerance in babies is associated with many problems, because their diet consists only of milk. Experts have long found out that the production of lactose to a greater extent occurs precisely at the age of up to a year. A baby's digestive system is designed to better digest breast milk or formula. After all, only in infancy you have to digest the maximum daily dose of milk sugar.

However, by the age of three, the production of this enzyme is significantly reduced, because the need for formula or mother's breast disappears on its own. You can often observe an aversion to dairy products in children after three years and adults. This feature is explained by the reduced production of an enzyme that digestslactose. Experts note that a dislike for milk does not mean lactose deficiency at all, but it can signal a low production of the necessary enzyme.

Why the problem occurs

Lactose intolerance in infants can be congenital or acquired. If the cause is congenital, then the first symptoms appear immediately after the baby starts breastfeeding or any milk formula.

But there is also acquired lactose intolerance in infants. Symptoms in this case appear unexpectedly and are associated with the influence of certain factors.

Genetic lactose intolerance is a disease whose causes are not fully understood by experts. In some cases, it is associated with the race of children. So, babies from Asian or African countries are more likely to suffer from this pathology.

Also heredity plays a big role in the development of the disease. A baby is more likely to have difficulty digesting milk if mom or dad is also allergic to it. Doctors also include those babies who were born prematurely at risk.

Risks of lactose intolerance

Not only can lactose intolerance in babies be congenital. Komarovsky, a well-known pediatrician, warns that the disease can provoke a number of negative factors. Among them, it is worth highlighting:

• intestinal infections that were not diagnosed and treated in time;
• recurring helminthic infestation;
• age-inappropriate nutrition (baby menu consisting of cow's milk);
• intestinal dysbacteriosis;
• constant stress;
• frequent milk consumption in adulthood.

Acquired hypolactasia is most often diagnosed in adults. But children are also not protected from its development. Often the problem overtakes schoolchildren for no particular reason. It's just that the level of enzymes responsible for the digestion of milk sugar drops to a critical level.

How to tell if a baby is lactose intolerant

The condition of lactose intolerance can manifest itself in many ways. It all depends on the level of production of the necessary enzymes and the individual reaction of the body to incoming milk sugar. As a result, doctors divide patients into the following groups:

• Babies who react even to foods containing residual traces of milk.
• Children who cannot digest natural milk and fermented milk products.
• Patients who can't digest dairy but can consume fermented milk in limited quantities.
• Children who can drink a glass of milk without consequences for the body. The digestive system is able to absorb and digest this amount of lactose. Dairy products are consumed without restrictions.

First signs

It's hard not to notice lactose intolerance in babies. Symptoms are associated with bloating, increasedgassing and gurgling. The baby constantly suffers from constipation, and he has an eructation after feeding. Parents note many other factors that indicate a problem. So, signs of lactose intolerance in infants may be as follows:

• constant offgassing;
• constipation occurs, and after the stool is passed, many pieces of untested food are found in the feces;
• in the area of the intestine constantly growls, the stomach is swollen and tense;
• constant colic, more regurgitation;
• skin rashes or swelling may occur;
• nausea and vomiting are frequent companions of the disease.

Note to moms

It is important for young parents to understand how to identify lactose intolerance in infants. Doctors warn that in this case, the stool looks like sour milk. Moreover, the feces are heterogeneous, as it should be in the norm. You can see a clear separation between the liquid component and undigested milk or mixture. You can often observe bile or mucus in the stool. In this case, it takes on a greenish tint.

Congenital lactose intolerance is the most severe in infants. Signs and what to do in this case - only a doctor will tell you. The baby is not feeling well. He suffers from discomfort in the digestive tract and constant pain. As a result of indigestion of food, there is a lack of many useful trace elements and vitamins. Babies are lagging behind not only physically, but also mentally. They later begin to hold their heads, sit, walk andtalk. Mental development suffers, so it is important to keep such children under full medical supervision.

Diagnosis

For an experienced pediatrician, it will not be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis based on the clinical picture. However, the signs can also indicate other problems with the digestive system. Therefore, the doctor will definitely conduct a series of studies to exclude them. You need to make sure there is no:

• pathogenic bacteria in the gut;
• worms;
• bile impurities in the digestive tract;
• infectious diseases.

There are also special laboratory tests:

• Milk perception test. The child drinks a glass of milk, and after 30 minutes a blood glucose test is done. Its excess gives grounds for the diagnosis.
• In infants, feces are analyzed and the amount of carbohydrates is detected.
• A breath test can be used, which is the level of exhaled hydrogen. When bacteria need to process indigestible lactose, the level of exhaled hydrogen increases dramatically.
• Lactose intolerance testing in infants can be done using a test strip. The baby is offered milk sugar mixed with water. After that, a urine test is analyzed for half an hour using indicator strips.

In addition to standard laboratory tests, others may be ordered. These include abdominal ultrasound,radiography, colonoscopy and endoscopy.

How to treat

If lactose intolerance is detected in infants, what to do - this should be decided by the doctor. In any case, an appropriate diet, therapy with the necessary enzymes and medication to relieve symptoms will be prescribed.

Essential Diet

The basis of treatment is the complete exclusion of lactose-containing products. For babies, special mixtures are recommended that are devoid of this carbohydrate. As the child grows, care must also be taken. The list of recommended products included;

• fish;
• boiled meat;
• vegetables, fruits;
• pasta, buckwheat and rice;
• eggs;
• nuts;
• whole grain bread and bran;
• vegetable oils;
• jam, honey.

Parents often wonder what to replace milk with. In this case, soy milk and all products from it are suitable. Soy provides the body with vegetable protein, and meat - animals. Therefore, the exclusion of cow's milk from the diet will not adversely affect the development of the baby. If fermented milk products do not cause digestive problems, then you can use them.

Features of infant nutrition

Sometimes a serious condition requires even the rejection of breastfeeding. In this case, the doctor selects a special lactose-free mixture. But if the baby's condition is not so severe and he develops normally, then it may only be necessary to adjust the mother's menu. Need to drastically reduceconsumption of foods containing milk sugar. Thus, there is less lactose in breast milk, which means that the load on the digestive tract of the baby is reduced.

Don't be afraid of lactose-free or low-lactose formulas. They contain all the necessary elements and vitamins for the successful growth of the baby. With the further introduction of complementary foods, you should focus on the list of recommended products above.

Drug therapy

If the baby's condition could not be normalized with the help of the mother's diet and the introduction of lactose-free mixtures, then medication will be required. The digestive tract lacks certain enzymes to digest lactose, so they are prescribed artificially.

Next, it is necessary to populate the intestines of the baby with beneficial microflora. In this case, prebiotics based on lactobacilli are prescribed. They not only contribute to the digestion of milk, but also suppress pathogenic microflora and fight increased gas formation.

If you feel unwell, symptomatic therapy is prescribed. Includes:

• medication for constipation or diarrhea;
• drugs against fermentation and flatulence;
• means that improve intestinal motility;
• vitamin-mineral complex to avoid beriberi.

Conclusion

A rather dangerous phenomenon is lactose intolerance in infants. Reviews of doctors show that if such a problem is ignored, then there may be lags in physical growth andpsychomotor development. It is important to choose the right milk formula, and mothers - to eat rationally. The baby's digestive tract should not be overloaded with milk sugar. At present, formulas for children with a similar problem have been developed that fully satisfy babies in nutrients, trace elements and vitamins. Therefore, there are no problems with their nutrition. The main thing is to undergo examinations on time and follow all the doctor's recommendations.