HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Does This Stool Test Report Indicate?

default
Posted on Fri, 24 Jun 2016
Question: hi doctor
My son is 15 months old. At 11 months of age, he once had upset stomach. on stool test it was found that there were traces of reducing substance and hence He was diagnosed to be lactose intolerance. At that time his paediatrician advised to completely stop milk and milk products for him. I followed the advise and he started getting better. He was well after 2 weeks but still i did not start on milk for another 2 weeks for precautionary measures. he was switched to soya milk Isomil all this while.

After 4 weeks, I started Milk and it seemed that his stomach started getting upset again after 3-4 days. Stopped it again for few more days, started back again after he was well. So this cycle has been ongoing for 4 months now. His lactose intolerance doesnt seem to be improving. Is it something which is permanent once developed or can it be cured?

If it can be cured please suggest how?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (54 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Try switching to semisolid food

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me assure that traces of reducing substance in stool does not indicate lactose intolerance. That in lactose intolerance would have reducing substances in stool does not mean that lactose intolerance is the only explanation of having reducing substances in stool. It can be found when due to any reason there is undigested food matter in stool.

In any case, for a child of 15 months, milk is an optional item provided that the nutritional principles can be provided otherwise. If you see tolerance problems, you can try giving curd instead. Usually it is tolerated well. Alternatively you can give soy based formula. But I think that giving semisolid foods should suffice.

If lactose intolerance is present genetically, it is unlikely to go away. But in that case it is unlikely to show up suddenly at 15 months of age.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 days later)
lactose intolerance is not genetic in his case. how can it be treated?

Can the baby be fed homemade cottage cheese?

Baby complaints of gas in the middle of night almost daily. He sleeps after consuming soy milk. Can soy milk be causing flatulence?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Curd or yogurt is likely to be tolerated well

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing in.

Let us not presume things. If it is temporary (if not genetic) it needs no treatment. Merely abstaining from milk intake for a certain time suffices.

No harm trying cottage cheese and seeing if he can tolerate it fine. If he is having undigested food matter left even after taking soy milk, withdrawing from that too seems logical to me. Why do you not shift to semisolids instead? Curd or yogurt should still be tolerated well.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 minutes later)
the baby takes solids and semi solids throughout the day. it is only at night before sleeping that he needs milk otherwise he keeps on getting up. Not sure if he gets up of hunger but is able to sleep for atleast 2-3 hours at a stretch on being fed milk just before sleeping.

How long does it take on an average for intolerance to go away if baby is kept off milk completely?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Links to useful articles provided

Detailed Answer:
In case of transient lactose intolerance, a week of restriction of milk intake usually suffices.

Rather than going into the details perhaps you would find reading through the following links more useful:
http://www.healthline.com/symptom/lactose-intolerance?print=true
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/lactose-intolerance-treatment-overview
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/lactose-intolerance/Pages/Treatment.aspx
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/lactose_intolerance.html/context/644

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Does This Stool Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Try switching to semisolid food Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Let me assure that traces of reducing substance in stool does not indicate lactose intolerance. That in lactose intolerance would have reducing substances in stool does not mean that lactose intolerance is the only explanation of having reducing substances in stool. It can be found when due to any reason there is undigested food matter in stool. In any case, for a child of 15 months, milk is an optional item provided that the nutritional principles can be provided otherwise. If you see tolerance problems, you can try giving curd instead. Usually it is tolerated well. Alternatively you can give soy based formula. But I think that giving semisolid foods should suffice. If lactose intolerance is present genetically, it is unlikely to go away. But in that case it is unlikely to show up suddenly at 15 months of age. Regards