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Lactose Intolerant Child?

Steven Machtinger

Steven Machtinger, M.D.

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Mills-Peninsula Medical Group

Mills-Peninsula Physician HMO Network

Question:

My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?

Answer:

It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant.

If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet excluding only lactose then it's quite unlikely that something else is going on.

It may or may not help but will certainly not harm her to try adding a probiotic to her diet for a month or two and then trying lactose-containing foods again. Start with a small amount of lactose.

Check with your pediatrician if she continues to have these episodes of gastrointestinal distress.

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