< b>Carbohydrate intake, infant: Carbohydrates (glucose, lactose, sucrose,
galactose, etc.) are sugars or several sugars linked together. Carbohydrates provide
energy (calories) for the brain tissues, muscles, and other organs.
Lactose is a carbohydrate consisting of glucose linked to galactose. Lactose
is the major carbohydrate in human breast milk, cow milk, and in most milk-based
infant formulas.
While most infants will thrive on a formula that contains lactose, some infants
are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is due to a lactase enzyme deficiency
(low levels of enzyme activity) in the small intestines. Lactase enzymes are necessary
for "digesting" lactose by breaking the link between glucose and galactose. The
intestines can then absorb the smaller glucose and galactose molecules. In infants
who are lactase deficient, the undigested lactose cannot be absorbed. This, in turn,
can cause diarrhea, cramps, bloating, vomiting, and gas. Lactase deficiency is more
common in premature infants than in full-term babies. Lactase deficiency can also
develop temporarily during recovery from viral gastroenteritis (commonly referred
to as the "stomach flu"). Finally, lactase deficiency can be inherited (rare).
For infants with lactose intolerance, formulas that contain no lactose can be
used. Lactofree is an example of a milk-based formula that contains corn syrup solids
rather than lactose as its carbohydrate calorie source. Many soy-protein formulas
also do not contain lactose and are suitable for lactose intolerant infants. In
addition to corn syrup solids, other examples of carbohydrates contained in lactose-free
formulas include sucrose (table sugar), tapioca starch, modified cornstarch, and
glucose polymers (short chains of glucose molecules).
medical
dictionary, online medical dictionary, medical
terminology dictionary, free online medical
dictionary, medical dictionary, online medical
dictionary, medical terminology dictionary, free
online medical dictionary, dictionary medical,
dictionary medical online, dictionary medical
terminology, dictionary free medical online,
dictionary free medical, dictionary medical
terms, dictionary drug medical medicine,
dictionary health illustrated medical nursing
profession stedmans, dictionary English medical,
dictionary medical online terminology,
dictionary encyclopedia medical online,
condition dictionary medical, dictionary
medical, dictionary drug medical, medical
dictionary software, cyclopedic dictionary index
medical tabers thumb, medical dictionary, online
medical dictionary, medical terminology
dictionary
