Lactose intolerance is a common condition among infants and young children, caused by a deficiency of lactase in the body. This leads to lactose not being fully digested and absorbed in the intestines, converting into lactose and glucose. This situation may result in children appearing thin and malnourished.
There are two ways to identify lactose intolerance:
The first is through medical testing. Parents can take their children to the hospital for professional tests, such as fecal reducing sugar test or urine lactose test. It is worth noting that although all newborns typically have lactase in their intestines, as they age, some children’s lactase levels decrease, and symptoms of lactose intolerance are more pronounced in full-term infants to 3 years old.
The second is through self-assessment through daily observation:
Observe the stool: If you find undigested milk curds in the baby’s stool, watery stool with separate egg-like appearance, or a lot of foam, it may be a sign of lactose intolerance.
Abdominal condition: If the baby’s abdomen frequently makes gurgling sounds, has obvious bowel sounds, and passes more gas, it is also a sign of lactose intolerance.
Breath test: If the baby’s mouth emits a sour smell, it also indicates a possible lactose digestion issue.
If your child exhibits one or more of the above symptoms, consider the possibility of lactose intolerance. Although the self-observation methods mentioned above have some reference value, the safest approach is to consult a professional doctor and undergo formal testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
