What is Transient Lactase Deficiency in Infants?
Transient Lactase Deficiency has been shown to be an important factor in some babies with colic. A deficiency of lactase enzyme in the small intestine results in the inability of the body to fully digest the milk-sugar lactose. This causes undigested lactose in milk and dairy products to be broken down by bacterial activity in the bowel, which produces lactic acid and hydrogen gas and results in severe discomfort, bloating and wind. It may be that the baby is not yet producing sufficient levels of lactase enzyme, due to being born with immature digestive system. However, by the time the baby is three to four months old, its digestive system should have developed sufficiently to produce adequate levels of lactase enzyme for the proper digestion of its feeds.
