Lactose is a unique component of breast milk, many infant formulas and dairy products, and is widely used in pharmaceutical products. In spite of that, its role in human nutrition or lactose intolerance is generally not well-understood. For that reason, a 2-day-long lactose consensus meeting with health care professionals was organized in Mexico to come to a set of statements for which consensus could be gathered. Topics ranging from lactase expression to potential health benefits of lactose were introduced by experts, and that was followed by a discussion on concept statements. Interestingly, lactose does not seem to induce a neurological reward response when consumed. Although lactose digestion is optimal, it supplies galactose for liver glycogen synthesis. In infants, it cannot be ignored that lactose-derived galactose is needed for the synthesis of glycosylated macromolecules. At least beyond infancy, the low glycemic index of lactose might be metabolically beneficial. When lactase expression decreases, lactose maldigestion may lead to lactose intolerance symptoms. In infancy, the temporary replacing of lactose by other carbohydrates is only justified in case of severe intolerance symptoms. In those who show an (epi)genetic decrease or absence of lactase expression, a certain amount (for adults mostly up to 12 g per portion) of lactose can still be consumed. In these cases, lactose shows beneficial intestinal-microbiota-shaping effects. Avoiding lactose-containing products may imply a lower intake of other important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B₁₂ from dairy products, as well as an increased intake of less beneficial carbohydrates.

This article aims to elucidate viral myocarditis in neonates, focusing on a case involving Coxsackie virus, in order to enhance early detection and treatment, and, therefore, mitigating the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. Our study details the clinical course of a female newborn with Coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis, who underwent diagnostic modalities such as echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance, and serial biomarker analysis, all of which allowed us to outline the disease's natural progression and its response to intervention over time. Based on a literature review we identified 6 similar cases, spanning from 1962 to 2022. In this analysis we assessed clinical presentation, diagnostic methodologies, treatment strategies, and prognostic outcomes, drawing comparisons between our case and reported instances. The objective is to highlight optimal clinical practices for managing this pathology effectively. Furthermore, we approach the pivotal role of early diagnosis and its impact on disease prognosis. We emphasize that, though rare, viral myocarditis in neonates can lead to a high rate of mortality, which is why a prompt diagnosis and an appropriate intervention are imperative to improve the outcome.