.Babies' bodies make the lactase enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk.
Babies born too early (premature) sometimes have lactose intolerance. Children who were born at full term often do not show signs of the problem before they are 3 years old.
Lactose intolerance is very common in adults. It is rarely dangerous. About 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20.
In white people, lactose intolerance often develops in children older than age 5. This is the age when our bodies may stop making lactase. In African Americans, the problem can occur as early as age 2. The condition is very common among adults with Asian, African, or Native American heritage. It is less common in people of northern or western European background, but still may occur.
An illness that involves or injures your small intestine may cause less of the lactase enzyme to be made. Treatment of these illnesses may improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance. These may include:
Surgery of the small intestine Infections in the small intestine (this is most often seen in children) Diseases that damage the small intestines, such as celiac sprue or crohn disease
Babies may be born with a genetic defect and are not able to make any of the lactase enzyme.
What causes Lactose intolerance?
.Babies' bodies make the lactase enzyme so they can digest milk, including breast milk.
Babies born too early (premature) sometimes have lactose intolerance. Children who were born at full term often do not show signs of the problem before they are 3 years old.
Lactose intolerance is very common in adults. It is rarely dangerous. About 30 million American adults have some degree of lactose intolerance by age 20.
In white people, lactose intolerance often develops in children older than age 5. This is the age when our bodies may stop making lactase. In African Americans, the problem can occur as early as age 2. The condition is very common among adults with Asian, African, or Native American heritage. It is less common in people of northern or western European background, but still may occur.
An illness that involves or injures your small intestine may cause less of the lactase enzyme to be made. Treatment of these illnesses may improve the symptoms of lactose intolerance. These may include:
Surgery of the small intestine {{ORGANIZATION}} in the small intestine (this is most often seen in children) Diseases that damage the small intestines, such as celiac sprue or crohn disease
Babies may be born with a genetic defect and are not able to make any of the lactase enzyme.