Milk Allergy & Role of Dietitian in its Management

Lactose is one of the disaccharides contained within the brush border of small intestine epithelial cells. In the human, lactase activity is detectable in the fetal gut as early as 8 weeks’ gestation. Persons who have a deficiency of the intestinal enzyme lactase have a decreased ability to digest lactose and experience symptoms of abdominal cramping and etc. Others may not lack intestinal lactase activity, lactose is absorbed and marked lactosuria together with aminoaciduria, proteinuria and renal tubular acidosis is found.1 Infants may develop severe diarrhea, vomiting and acidosis within the first few days of life and is a life threatening situation. It should be noted that even a small amount of lactose can precipitate the symptoms, but it is a transient disorder from which the child recovers between 12 and 18 months of age.