Fructose intolerance in children
This condition, not to be confused with fructose malabsorption, is a hereditary condition that has no treatment and that the child begins to show from the beginning.
Hereditary fructose intolerance, also known as HFI, is a very rare condition that stands out for being hereditary . That is, the child begins to show symptoms from the first moment in which he incorporates other foods into his diet beyond breast milk.
However, intolerance should not be confused with fructose malabsorption , a condition that is much more common – affecting 1 in 5 people – in which the intestine does not metabolize fructose and it passes from the small to the large intestine, generating annoying symptoms such as gas, abdominal pain or bloating. This condition is diagnosed through an expired hydrogen test and does not involve such a strict diet, since the consumption of limited amounts of fructose is allowed.
On the other hand, hereditary fructose intolerance is diagnosed through a generic test since it is chronic and there is no treatment that can alleviate the condition. The reason for this disease is due to the lack of a liver enzyme called aldolase B, which is the one that metabolizes fructose so that it is then absorbed by the intestine. However, as fructose cannot be metabolized, it ends up transforming into toxic substances that can seriously damage the child’s body, so their diet must be very strict and avoiding any food that contains fructose at all costs. This substance is the sugar that is found naturally in vegetables and some fruits , as well as in honey from bees.
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SYMPTOMS OF THE CONDITION
The signs that a child has a fructose intolerance are quite clear, although they can be confused with a malabsorption or another type of intolerance . However, with the appropriate tests a doctor will be able to give a correct diagnosis . Some of the symptoms that children with IHF show are:
- Stomach upset in the form of nausea, vomiting, dehydration, pain, or poor appetite. This can translate many times in that the little one does not gain weight or it costs him a lot.
- Tiredness that can lead to irritability and even a low mood . And it is that the intestine of children who suffer from this condition becomes irritated every time they consume fructose. If the parents are unaware of the situation and continue with a high fructose diet, the intestine will not be fully capable of synthesizing tryptophan from food. This is the neurotransmitter responsible for producing the hormone serotonin , also known as the ‘happiness hormone’.
- The little one refuses to eat fruit or sweets , since they feel that these foods cause stomach pain.
- Low blood sugar levels , a condition known as hypoglycemia .
- Liver problems or kidney disorders.
- The little one gets sick very easily . This is because the consumption of fructose causes an alteration of your intestinal flora, which affects an immune system with few defenses . And it is that folic acid or zinc, two essential substances for an optimal immune system, are not assimilated correctly.
TIPS AND GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS
IHF is a condition that should not have an impact on the child’s life , beyond knowing which foods to eat and which ones not. For this to be the case and for the child not to think that he is being punished or that he is different from his peers, it is essential that the parents normalize the situation and make the child understand his condition from the beginning. And it is that, being an irreversible disease, the child will have to live with it throughout his life. Some ways to do it are:
- If the boy’s schoolmates go to the dining room, let him do it too . And there is no problem as long as the center of your intolerance is notified so that they prepare a special menu for you . Perhaps at the beginning you have to watch the child who, seeing that he has to eat something different from his friends, tries to try other dishes. However, little by little he will begin to understand that he has to take care of his diet.
- Carry out school activities and sports normally , since the IHF does not cause any physical impediment beyond having to take care of the diet. Of course, in case the little one suffers a high physical exhaustion, it may be necessary to consult a doctor in case he had to consume a nutritional supplement .
- At home, do not give too much importance to the disease , trying as much as possible to make suitable meals for the little one and for the whole family to eat so that they do not feel different.
DIET FOR CHILDREN WITH IHF
As indicated, hereditary fructose intolerance is a chronic condition that has no cure or treatment beyond following an adequate, fructose-free diet . Some guidelines for this are:
- Read food labels carefully to see if they are indeed fructose-free. And it is that although this is the natural sugar of fruits, in the industry it is also used for other products such as cookies or juices. In case there are doubts or the label does not clearly state whether the product contains fructose or not, it is best to avoid it.
- Beware of ‘sugar-free’ products such as chewing gum, gummies or juices. These foods usually contain fructose or sorbitol as a substitute for sugar .
- Avoid natural honey from bees.
- Be careful with natural juices and fruit , both fresh and dehydrated.
- Vegetables and greens such as carrots, squash, sweet potato or beets should be avoided. Also be extremely careful with broccoli, zucchini, cucumber, eggplant, tomato, or green beans.
- Avoid sugary or flavored dairy products , as well as dried fruits like walnuts.
- Meat is allowed , as long as they are not processed sausages. The same goes for fish .
- Cereals can be included in the diet in a normal way such as flour, rice, corn, oats, bread, pasta …
In any case, it is essential that when a child is diagnosed with IHF, parents are quickly informed of the guidelines to follow and all the foods that should or should not be included in the child’s diet. A doctor or a nutritionist will know how to advise the parents when treating this condition that the child suffers in order, little by little, to normalize the situation and include it in the child’s life as something common. In addition, you can also find many associations of people who suffer from fructose intolerance that you can contact to receive first-hand information about this disease.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.