Undernourished Children and Milk Lactose

Abstract

Lactose may be an overlooked beneficial nutrient for young and undernourished children. Research is needed to define the balance between beneficial and detrimental effects of lactose in undernourished children at different ages and with different degrees of diarrhea and intestinal integrity.

Low lactose in the nutritional management of diarrhea: Case reports from India

“…Disruption of the intestinal barrier during diarrhea often predisposes the infant to lactose intolerance temporarily because of the loss of epithelial cells that contain lactase. 6 The osmotic effects of undigested lactose draw fluid into the intestinal lumen causing loose stools. 8 However, secondary lactose intolerance generally does not last longer than 6-8 weeks 9 and lactase activity may return to normal after the repair of intestinal damage.…”

“…However, the importance of lactose in infant growth and development is often underrecognized. 6 Thus, use of low lactose diets in children with diarrhea may be one the methods to strike a balance between the benefits and adverse effects of lactose. This paper describes some cases where positive outcomes were observed with low lactose formulas in the diets of infants presenting with diarrhea.…”

Lactose Intolerance: Common Misunderstandings

“…It is useful to find a balance where the amount of lactose in food does not induce osmotic diarrhea, but can help to achieve the beneficial effects of lactose. Clinical trials are needed to better define the safe and appropriate lactose dietary levels for moderately and severely undernourished children [36]. In the rare form of CLD, a complete lactose-free diet is required for life.…”

Complex Interactions of Obesity, Dairy Food Intake and Genetics of Lactase

“…During lactation mother's milk contains many prebiotic galactooligosaccharides which protect the neonate from pathogens and compensate for prematurity of intestinal development [53][54][55]. In under nourished children where the intestinal disaccharide levels may be deficient, lactose containing milk may contribution to nutrition [56]. Obesity, (excess energy intake and reduced expenditure) increases weight, insulin resistance and alters distribution between visceral and subcutaneous fat.…”