What is lactose intolerance?

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Lactose intolerance is the inability to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk. This intolerance may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Lactose intolerance is due to incomplete digestion of the sugar present in milk, lactose. It occurs when the body does not produce or no longer produces enough lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting lactose. The following gastrointestinal events then appear: bloating and flatulence, abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea or constipation.

The infant in whom a diagnosis has been made can still drink breast milk. To do this, the mother should express her milk, treat it with liquid lactase (OTC pharmacy) and refrigerate it for 24 hours, the time needed to break down lactose. This milk can then be offered to the baby by cup.

If it proves impossible to treat breast milk, infant formula based on cow’s milk without lactose can be used until the symptoms disappear. In this case, a gradual intake of breast milk containing lactose (or a commercial preparation for regular infant) can begin. On the other hand, it is interesting to note that it is possible to restore a lactose tolerance by gradually increasing the lactose content of the diet.

It is also noteworthy that a specialist such as a pediatrician should diagnose lactose intolerance. In infants, this intolerance occurs most often after a gastrointestinal infection and resolves itself after a temporary withdrawal of lactose. Generally, this condition is temporary in children and it subsides with time.

Références

Centre de pédagogie appliquée aux sciences de la santé de l'Université de Montréal (2012). ABCdaire du suivi périodique de l'enfant de 0 à 5 ans.

http://www.cpass.umontreal.ca/documents/formation/outils_abcdaire/ABCdaireOctobre2012FINAL.pdf

Santé Canada. (2012). La nutrition du nourrisson né à terme et en santé: Recommandations de la naissance à six mois.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/infant-nourisson/recom/index-fra.php

Santé Canada. (2013). Les allergies alimentaires et les intolérances alimentaires.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/index-fra.php

Soins de nos enfants. (2013). Les allergies et les intolérances alimentaires : quelle est la différence et puis-je les éviter?

http://www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca/handouts/food_allergies_and_intolerances

 
Ressources

Association Québécoise des Allergies Alimentaires (2014): http://allergies-alimentaires.org/fr (référence générale).



Doré, N. et Le Henaff, D. (2014). Mieux vivre avec notre enfant de la grossesse à deux ans, guide pratique pour les mères et les pères.



Naître et grandir. (2015). L’intolérance au lactose.



 

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