Which diet should avoid in children with lactose intolerance?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which is required to break down lactose.
Lactose is the primary sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Consuming dairy products leads to undigested lactose fermenting in the colon, causing gastrointestinal symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Therefore, the cornerstone of managing lactose intolerance is avoiding or limiting foods containing lactose, primarily dairy products.

Option B: Oils are fats and are naturally free of lactose. They do not cause symptoms in individuals with lactose intolerance.
Option C: Green leafy vegetables are lactose-free. They are actually recommended as an alternative source of calcium for those avoiding dairy.
Option D: Wheat contains the protein gluten, not the sugar lactose. Avoiding wheat is the treatment for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Dietary management for lactose intolerance in children as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing role is patient and family education on dietary management to prevent symptoms and ensure adequate nutrition.
Nurses must emphasize the importance of finding alternative sources of calcium and Vitamin D to prevent deficiencies and support bone health, especially in growing children.
It is crucial to monitor the child's growth and symptom resolution to confirm the effectiveness of the dietary changes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'lactose intolerance'.
Recall the definition of lactose intolerance: the body's inability to digest lactose due to a lack of the lactase enzyme.
Next, connect lactose to its primary food source. Lactose is known as 'milk sugar'.
Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. 'Dairy products' are the main source of lactose.
Eliminate the other options: Oils are fats, green vegetables are plants, and wheat contains gluten. None of these naturally contain lactose.
Conclude that dairy products are the diet that must be avoided.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Dietary management for lactose intolerance in children.
Stem keywords: lactose intolerance, children, diet, avoid
Lead-in keywords: Which
Clinical cues: The diagnosis of lactose intolerance directly points to an issue with digesting a specific sugar found in a particular food group.

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E6 Nutrition Kumud Khanna 2e p. 258-260

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 315-317

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.