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A trial of lactose hydrolysed milk in Australian Aboriginal children
Insights
Lactose-hydrolyzed milk significantly improved weight gain in young Aboriginal children compared to standard milk. This suggests hydrolyzed milk is beneficial for Aboriginal infants and children experiencing growth issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Growth retardation is a concern in young Aboriginal children.
- Lactose malabsorption may contribute to poor weight gain in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of lactose-hydrolyzed milk compared to standard milk for weight gain in young Aboriginal children.
Main Methods:
- A blind controlled hospital trial was conducted with 50 young Aboriginal children.
- Children were assigned to receive either reconstituted, lactose-hydrolyzed milk (test) or full-cream milk powder (control).
- Weight gain was monitored over the study period.
Main Results:
- Children receiving lactose-hydrolyzed milk showed significantly higher mean weight gains (4.80 g kg-1 day-1) compared to the control group (2.20 g kg-1 day-1).
- Infants under one year in the control group had less than 10% of the weight gain seen in the test group.
- Improved weight gain was observed irrespective of initial weight-for-age or lactose intolerance symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Lactose malabsorption is a significant factor in the growth retardation of Aboriginal children.
- Lactose-hydrolyzed milk is recommended to replace normal milk in the supplementary feeding of Aboriginal infants and children to improve growth outcomes.
Abstract:
Weight gains in 50 young Australian Aboriginal children were studied in a blind controlled hospital trial of reconstituted, lactose hydrolysed milk powder (test) and full-cream milk powder (control). The mean weight gains (+/- SEM) were 4.80 +/- 0.80 g kg-1 day-1 for children receiving the lactose hydrolysed milk, and 2.20 +/- 0.75 g kg-1 day-1 for those receiving the normal milk P less than 0.0125). Weight gain of infants (that is, those under one year of age) in the control group was less than 10% of that in the test group (P less than 0.0025). Weight gain was higher in children fed hydrolysed milk irrespective of percentage of Standard Weight for Age or the presence or absence of recognizable symptoms of lactose intolerance. Lactose malabsorption appears to be a major factor in the growth retardation of Aboriginal children. It is recommended that lactose hydrolysed milk replace normal milk in the supplementary feeding of Aboriginal infants and children.