Lactase deficiency in children and the choice of therapeutic nutrition

Abstract

Background. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in breast milk, dairy products and is important for human physiology. Lactase deficiency is a term that is used to describe pathological conditions caused by a decrease in lactase levels (hypolactasia) or a complete absence of the enzyme (alactasia).Results. Symptoms of lactase deficiency appear after eating foods containing lactose. Patients are concerned about flatulence, colic, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation are possible. Primary, secondary transient and constitutional lactase deficiency are distinguished. In young children, secondary lactase deficiency is most common in the gastrointestinal form of the cow's milk proteins allergy and secondary lactase deficiency due to intestinal infections. Dietary therapy and the enzyme lactase are used in the treatment of lactase deficiency. An individual approach is required when choosing a therapeutic diet. Lactose-free, low-lactose, fermented milk and the "comfort" formulas can be used in lactase deficiency without cow's milk proteins allergy in children on mixed and artificial feeding. For cow's milk proteins allergy and secondary lactase deficiency, fully hydrolyzed and amino acid a lactose-free formulasare used. One to two months after lactase activity has been restored, a child with cow's milk proteins allergy can be cautiously introduced to a high protein hydrolyzed formula containing lactose. The administration of lactose-free and low-lactose formulas containing cow's milk protein to children with cow's milk proteins allergy and secondary lactase deficiency is erroneous.

Keywords

• lactose
• lactase deficiency
• allergy to cow's milk proteins
• lactose-free infant formula