Medical Nutrition Therapy in Lactose Intolerance: A Case Report

Abstract

Lactose, a sugar in milk and milk products, is a disaccharide consisting of galactose bound to glucose. Intestinal absorption of lactose requires lactase which is an enzyme located in the brush-border of enterosites in the small bowel. Lactose intolerance is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and diarrhea induced by lactose in dairy products. Dietary treatment of lactose intolerance is to avoid lactose-containing foods. But dairy products are not including only lactose, these are major sources of calcium and essential nutrients, such as high-quality protein, vitamins and phosphorus. The main goal in the treatment of lactose intolerance is to provide adequate and balanced nourishment. In this case report, it was shown that failure to thrive, dysphagia and diarrhea diagnosis followed growth and development and management of medical nutrition treatment is discussed.