Synonyms

• Alactasia
• Disaccharidase Deficiency
• Glucose-Galactose Malabsorption
• Hypolactasia
• Lactase Deficiency
• Lactase Isolated Intolerance

Disorder Subdivisions

• Congenital Lactose Intolerance
• Neonatal Lactose Intolerance
• Lactose Intolerance of Childhood
• Lactose Intolerance of Adulthood

General Discussion

Lactose is the predominant sugar found in milk and milk products. People with Lactose intolerance (LI) cannot properly digest lactose because they lack or are deficient in the enzyme, lactase, which is key to the digestion of lactose. Lactose is a complex sugar made up of two different sugar molecules (disaccharide), galactose and glucose, each of which is a simple (monosaccharide) sugar and more readily absorbed in the body's stomach and intestine and processed in other organs.

LI is common among adults in the United States and elsewhere. It is worrisome and uncomfortable but not at all dangerous.

This disorder is an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by the impaired ability to absorb nutrients from the small intestine (malabsorption syndrome).

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)997-4488
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Office of Communications & Public Liaison
Bldg 31, Rm 9A06
31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
Tel: (301)496-3583
Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/

MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  8/7/2007
Copyright  1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 2002, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.