[Milk intolerance in Colombian children, its prevalence and relation to lactose malabsorption]

A total of 121 children from an orphange were studied. Their ages ranged from 2 to 10 years and represented different ethnic backgrounds. The prevalence of malnutrition was 45% and their gastrointestinal symptomatology in response to graded amounts of milk intake was evaluated. None of the children complained when milk intakes were of 200 cc; 10% complained of gastrointestinal discomfort and/or diarrhea when 300 cc of milk (equivalent to 12 g of lactose) were administered, and 54% presented lactose malabsorption unrelated to ethnic background, sex or malnutrition. It is concluded that the prevalence of milk intolerance is minimal when milk is given in the usual amounts.