The efficacy of low/lactose-free milk powder in the treatment of lactose intolerance in infants: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of formula milk powder in the treatment of lactose intolerance in children, and to provide an evidence-based medicine basis for the rational use of drugs in children with lactose intolerance caused by various reasons by meta-analysis. Methods: Use computers to search major databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and other databases, the retrieval time is from the establishment of the database to April 2023. The collected literatures were screened, data extracted and processed, and then meta-analysis was performed by Review-Manager 5.4 statistical software. Results: A total of 10 randomized controlled trials were included, with 1112 patients, including 562 patients in the treatment group and 550 patients in the control group. The control group was treated with conventional therapy, and the treatment group was treated with lactose-free/low-lactose milk powder on the basis of conventional therapy. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the clinical efficacy of the treatment group was significantly better than that of the control group [odds ratio=6.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.94-9.18, P<0.00001], the course of disease in the treatment group was shorter than that in the control group (mean difference=-1.45, 95% CI: -1.76 to -1.13, P<0.0001). The antidiarrhea time of the treatment group was shorter than that of the control group, and the difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (mean difference=-1.41, 95% CI: -1.67 to -1.15, P<0.0001). Conclusion: Low/lactose-free milk powder can improve clinical efficacy and shorten the course of treatment in infants with lactose intolerance, which can be demonstrated by further large-scale clinical studies.