Is lactose intolerance treatable in children?

they shoud drink lactose free milk.

Although there is no cure for this digestive problem, dietary modifications can make a huge difference for your child. I also recommend children with lactose intolerance take an over-the-counter lactase enzyme supplement when lactose-containing food is consumed to help alleviate symptoms.

Thanks for your question!

When children are diagnosed with lactose intolerance, avoidance of milk and other dairy products will relieve symptoms. However, those with primary lactose intolerance have varying degrees of lactase deficiency and, correspondingly, often tolerate varying amounts of dietary lactose.

The best treatment of lactose intolerance is a combination of dietary modification and taking a supplement to aid in digestion of lactose. Individuals who are lactose intolerant should meet with a dietician to review the sources of lactose in their diet.

Alternatives to milk for lactose intolerant individuals include products such as soy milk. If an individual is restricting their milk/ dairy intake it is important to ensure adequate supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D in the diet. This is especially important for pediatric patients and women.

Recommended daily calcium intakes:

1-3 years of age ………………..500 mg

4-8 years of age……………..800 mg

9-24 years of age…………  1300 mg

Age 25 and above………..  800-1000 mg

Pregnant and nursing women……  1200 mg

References :

Marsha H. Kay, MD, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Anthony F. Porto, MD, MPH, Yale University/Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT – Updated December 2012.

Marsha H. Kay, MD, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, and Vasundhara Tolia, MD, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI – Published September 2004.

Heyma, B. M. ( 2006) Lactose Intolerance in Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 114:3.