Lactose intolerance, the symptoms of which we will present a little below, can occur in children for various reasons. However, such a deviation is almost always based on a lack of an enzyme called “lactase” in the baby. It is this substance that is able to break down lactose disaccharide into galactose and glucose, which then enter the human circulatory system to provide all energy chains.
Lactose intolerance: symptoms in children (primary)
As a rule, intolerance to milk sugar appears immediately or a couple of hours after the child drinks any drink that includes milk. In addition, lactase deficiency in the baby's body can also make itself felt after eating foods such as cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cream, sour cream, cakes, chocolate, butter, etc.
If you notice that after eating the above food your child felt uneasy, then most likely he has lactose intolerance. The symptoms of this disorder are manifested innext:
- cramping pains in the abdomen, or rather in its middle part (just above the navel);
- regular diarrhea;
- constant nausea, and in rare cases possible vomiting;
- bloating or flatulence.
If these problems are present, lactose intolerance may be suspected.
Symptoms in newborns (more rare)
It is worth noting that all the above signs of an allergy to milk sugar can be expressed in completely different degrees. In this regard, it can be quite difficult to understand that the child has this particular deviation, and not a banal intestinal disorder.
However, in addition to the primary signs, with this disease, atypical symptoms can also be observed, which manifest themselves as:
- headaches;
- prostration states;
- skin rashes.
But even here it is rather problematic to reveal the true cause of lactose intolerance in newborns. By the way, the severity of these symptoms, as well as their form are individual. Most often, they depend on the severity of the disease and on the amount of milk sugar that was consumed by the child.
How to treat?
Lactose intolerance, the symptoms of which are individual for each individual child, cannot be cured. That is why mothers whose children are prone to this deviation should carefully monitor the diet of their child. In other words, babies should avoid all or part of foods such as milk drinks and other ingredients that include the presented component.
If the disease is acquired (for example, as a result of complications after an intestinal disease such as celiac disease), then with long-term treatment, the child can gradually return to normal nutrition.
By the way, such a deviation as lactose intolerance, the symptoms of which were presented above, can be detected not only by observing your baby, but also as follows:
- special oral test;
- hydrogen breath test.
