One of the intestinal enzymes that is generally deficient in children following an attack of severe infectious enteritis is:
**Core Concept**
The intestinal enzyme deficiency in children following severe infectious enteritis is related to the malabsorption of certain nutrients. This condition is often caused by a reduction in disaccharidase enzyme activity, which is necessary for carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is lactase, an enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of lactose (a disaccharide found in milk) into glucose and galactose. During an episode of infectious enteritis, the intestinal mucosa can be damaged, leading to a temporary deficiency of lactase enzyme activity. This deficiency results in lactose intolerance, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and flatulence after consuming lactose-containing products.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Sucrase is another disaccharidase enzyme that is involved in carbohydrate digestion, but it is not the primary enzyme deficient in children following infectious enteritis.
* **Option B:** Maltase is a disaccharidase enzyme that breaks down maltose into glucose, but it is not typically deficient in children with infectious enteritis.
* **Option C:** Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme involved in protein digestion, not carbohydrate digestion, and is not typically deficient in children with infectious enteritis.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In children with a history of infectious enteritis, lactose-containing products should be avoided for several weeks to prevent symptoms of lactose intolerance.
**Correct Answer: C. Lactase.