Since this is my first posting, let me introduce myself.  I am a RD working
as the Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator for a state WIC office.   All of
my postings will be my opinion, and not the official opinion of WIC.

I recently did a search of the literature on the incidence of lactose
intolerance in infants and the indications for use of a lactose free,
milk-based formula.  Here is a brief summary.
**1)  Primary lactose intolerance:  Congenital lactase deficiency in infants
is extremely rare.  Late-onset lactase deficiency will usually not occur
until after age 2.  Therefore the need for lactose free formulas for infants
(because of lactase deficiency) would be very unusual.
**2) Secondary lactose intolerance follows viral/bacterial diarrhea about
50% of the time in infants and children.  This resolves quickly (a few
days to a few weeks).  Breastmilk is the preferred infant feeding method
during and after diarrhea.  For infants only using ABM, lactose-free milk
based, soy, or protein hydrolysate formulas are needed only for the first
few days or weeks after diarrhea, they then resume their original ABM.
**3)  Preterm v. Full term - still controversial.  For a good explanation, see
Saavedra & Perman, (1989) "Current concepts in lactose malabsorption
and intolerance", *Annual Review of Nutrition*, 9:475-502.

I also have heard anecdotal reports of infants tolerating a lactose-free
milk-based formula better than regular milk-based formula, but at this time,
I could not find scientific evidence to support this.  I was appalled to hear
that doctors are promoting this formula over breastmilk!  If you would like
my complete list of citations, please e-mail me privately.

Debi VanderMey  MS, RD       [log in to unmask]
Portland, Oregon