Lactose intolerance in young children can cause stomach cramps, gas, and diarrhea. Diagnosis should be done by a doctor, and treatment involves avoiding lactose-containing foods and finding alternative sources of calcium. Many children outgrow lactose intolerance as they get older.
The most common signs of lactose intolerance in young children are typically stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea. These symptoms often show up between 30 minutes and a few hours after a child has consumed a dairy product. Some children may not experience these symptoms to as great a degree as others because levels of lactose intolerance vary from child to child. It is possible that many lactose-intolerant children are able to take small amounts of dairy products without problems, while even a small amount in others could cause severe symptoms.
Lactose intolerance in young children should be diagnosed by a doctor before a parent cuts out dairy products. If lactose intolerance is suspected, it may be a good idea for parents to keep track of how often dairy products have been consumed by their child and how long after the symptoms started. This information can help a doctor decide whether lactose tolerance might be causing the problems. A doctor can then run some tests to confirm his suspicions.
Doctors typically perform a series of simple tests to diagnose lactose intolerance in young children. The first test performed generally involves fasting the child for a few hours and then consuming something containing lactose. Blood sugar levels are then sampled to see how easily lactose is digested. After this test, a hydrogen breath test and a stool acidity test may be performed. High levels of hydrogen in the breath normally indicate undigested lactose, as do high levels of acid in the stool.
Treatment of lactose intolerance in young children is usually very simple. Avoiding lactose-containing foods, including dairy products, is necessary most of the time to eliminate symptoms. Parents will need to carefully examine their child’s reaction to lactose to determine how much, if any, lactose can be allowed. Dairy products are a major source of calcium in the average person’s diet, so it’s imperative that parents of lactose-intolerant children provide another source of calcium. Most green vegetables and some types of fish are considered acceptable substitutes.
Most of the time, the symptoms of lactose intolerance in young children don’t emerge until around the age of three. Lactose intolerance is not always a lifelong problem. Children diagnosed as lactose intolerant are usually able to tolerate dairy products as they get older. Many toddlers and children who are affected can also outgrow them and consume dairy products without problems later in their lives.
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