In daily life, we often encounter children with carbohydrate malabsorption. When affected by this condition, children frequently display expressions of significant distress. Many parents become deeply concerned upon their child's diagnosis. Below, we explore the causes of pediatric carbohydrate malabsorption, hoping this information proves helpful for children.
The etiology of pediatric carbohydrate malabsorption can be broadly categorized into primary and secondary types, as detailed below:
Diseases causing primary carbohydrate malabsorption
Congenital lactose malabsorption, sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption, etc.
Diseases causing secondary carbohydrate malabsorption
Conditions damaging the small intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and brush border, such as viral enteritis, chronic diarrhea, protein-calorie malnutrition, immunodeficiency disorders, and post-small bowel surgery, can lead to secondary carbohydrate malabsorption.
Given the harm caused by sugar malabsorption in children, parents should proactively implement the following preventive measures:
Enhance prenatal care to prevent premature birth.
Actively prevent and treat various intestinal diseases, particularly infectious diseases and malnutrition, to avert sugar malabsorption.
Schedule regular physical examinations to enable early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Build physical strength and enhance immunity: Balance work and rest, engage in regular physical exercise, and consume fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins.
When preparing food for children with carbohydrate malabsorption, parents should note the following dietary considerations:
Patients must avoid lactose, including all dairy products and foods containing milk.
Infants may be fed lactose-free formula, soy-based formula, or milk substitutes. Alternatively, prepare a mixture of 100ml soy milk with 5–10g glucose, calculated based on the required milk volume. Homemade soy milk can also be used (500g soybeans, 4L water, ground and blended). After preparation, add per 500ml: 0.5g salt, 1.5g calcium lactate, 10g starch,and 30g glucose per 500ml of soy milk.
Most affected children require only temporary lactose restriction or low-lactose milk, such as fermented milk or low-lactose formula. Some may also need to limit sucrose intake concurrently.
Within 2–3 weeks after recovery from the primary illness, most children gradually regain normal disaccharidase function and can resume a regular diet.

During the acute phase of pediatric enteritis, 60%–70% of cases test positive for lactase deficiency. However, lactase function rapidly returns to normal as acute enteritis resolves, making routine administration of low-lactose diets unnecessary during this acute phase.
Low-lactose diets are only indicated for children with persistent or chronic diarrhea that does not respond to treatment, or for those diagnosed with lactase deficiency.