Many children in their first year of life suffer from various digestive problems, one of them may be lactase deficiency. This pathology is characterized by low activity of one of the important digestive enzymes – intestinal lactase, which is responsible for the breakdown of lactose (milk sugar).
Lactase is produced by the walls of the small intestine and helps maintain healthy microflora in the digestive tract. If the child does not have enough natural enzymes for the full processing of lactose, the doctor may prescribe treatment using drugs such as Lactase Baby or Lactazar.
These medicines are prescribed for children from the first days of life. Against the background of their use, the lactase content in the body is normalized, digestion improves, and with it the child’s well-being, healthy microflora and the baby’s immunity are preserved.
What is lactase?
Lactase is an enzyme that is natural for the small intestine and helps digest milk and dairy products. Drugs containing lactase in childhood are recommended for poor tolerance of dairy products and after acute intestinal infections.
This enzyme is available in capsules. Especially for newborns, it is contained in a “light” dosage in the drug Lactase Baby. The source of the enzyme are mold fungi Aspergillus orizae and Aspergillus niger. They undergo a specific cleaning before being in the composition of this therapeutic agent.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for the use of lactase are:
- the need for lactase as an additional source of enzymes;
- better absorption of milk and dairy products with unsatisfactory tolerance by the body, for the prevention of symptoms of lactase deficiency, such as flatulence, diarrhea, pain and cramping in the intestine;
- lactase deficiency in children from birth on the background of functional immaturity of enzymatic systems;
- intestinal infections.
Contraindication – hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Do not worry about the fact that while taking the drug Lactase Baby, the baby may experience some health problems or general well-being. There should not be any negative changes, since the preparation contains exactly the same amount of the lactase enzyme that is produced every day in the walls of the small intestine of the child in the norm.
Instructions for use
How to take Lactase Baby and Lactase Enzyme for newborns according to the instructions? Any drugs containing this enzyme are intended for internal use. Lactase preparations for newborns are given during each feeding along with the infant formula or breast milk. Overdoses should not be allowed, the drug is given strictly according to the instructions, taking into account the weight and age of the child, as well as the full amount of food.
Lactase Baby is specifically designed for infants. One capsule of the drug contains 700 units of the enzyme. The calculations are simple: before feeding, for every 100 ml of milk or milk mixture you need to take 1 capsule of Lactase Baby.
How to give Lactase Baby? If the baby is breastfed, then the mother must pre-express 20 grams of milk and dilute the necessary amount of the drug in it, leaving it for 10 minutes for the enzymatic cleavage process. Then you can start feeding the baby, be sure to start with this portion of milk.
With artificial feeding, the contents of the capsules are dissolved in the full amount of the milk mixture and also left for the fermentation process for about 10 minutes. After this, the milk mixture is offered to the baby. For children over 1 year old, the contents of 1-5 capsules of Lactase Baby is added to dairy products, the temperature of which does not exceed 55 °.
Lactase preparations are developed in accordance with the physiological needs of young children, including those at the neonatal stage. The dosage of the drug Lactase Baby is provided in the optimal minimum quantity for the child’s body.
According to the same principle, the drug Lactase Enzyme is taken, but initially this drug was developed for adults. Therefore, one capsule of Lactase Enzyme contains 3450 units of the enzyme. For 100 ml of milk mixture or breast milk, 700 units are required, that is, the Lactase Enzyme capsule must be previously divided into the required amount of baby food, which is not very convenient. Before each feeding, 1/5 capsule is taken per 100 ml of the mixture or milk.
Side effects
There is no evidence that lactase preparations can cause serious side effects. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to the drug may develop. You also need to remember that funds containing lactase are prescribed in the form of a course of treatment, the minimum course of regular intake of these drugs is at least 1 month.
What drugs contain lactase?
At an early age, drugs containing lactase help children better absorb breast milk or milk formula, while reducing the symptoms of bloating, eliminating childhood colic. For older children, these medicines help to significantly expand the diet, if intolerance to dairy products remains relevant for them. Lactase intake makes it possible to include dairy products such as cereals, cottage cheese, yogurts, cheeses and much more in the child’s diet, which is undoubtedly useful for the growth and development of the baby.
All drugs containing lactase are conditionally classified into 2 groups:
- Preparations in which the lactase enzyme for newborns is synthesized by yeast and microorganisms that are active in a neutral and slightly alkaline environment. Such funds are prescribed less often, since their scope is quite limited. They are prescribed only for the whole milk fermentation process immediately before use. Such drugs are Lactade, Maxilact, Lactosim, Lact-Acid, Lactazar or Lactase Baby.
- Preparations in which the lactase enzyme is produced by fungal flora, which is active in an acidic environment. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to successfully break down milk sugar in fermented milk products, such as kefir, cottage cheese. A similar drug is Lactrase.
Lactase is an enzyme that is synthesized in the small intestine. It is important for the body to absorb milk sugar – lactose. At an early age, children receive lactase preparations to better digest mother’s milk or milk formula, as well as to eliminate the symptoms of bloating. Positive reviews on lactase preparations for children have been recommended by these medicines among young mothers.