Rosh Pediatrics Practice Exam

What sign might you expect to find in a child with lactose intolerance?

1. Dry skin

2. Frequent headaches

3. Abdominal pain after dairy consumption

4. Jaundice

The correct answer is: Abdominal pain after dairy consumption

A child with lactose intolerance typically exhibits abdominal pain after consuming dairy products. This condition arises from the body’s inability to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. When lactose is consumed, it can lead to fermentation in the intestines, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea due to the buildup of gas and the osmotic effect of undigested lactose. The other signs listed, such as dry skin, frequent headaches, and jaundice, are not direct indicators of lactose intolerance. Dry skin may suggest a dermatological issue or nutritional deficiency, frequent headaches can be associated with various conditions unrelated to lactose, and jaundice usually indicates liver problems or hemolysis, rather than digestive issues linked to lactose. Therefore, the abdominal pain following dairy intake is the distinguishing symptom that aligns perfectly with lactose intolerance.