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Eczema? Reflux? Constipation? Diarrhoea? Crying? Do you suspect that your patient has a food allergy?

Cow's Milk Protein Allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the first year of life.

Food allergies and non-allergic food hypersensitivities in babies and young children can present a real challenge. Until a diagnosis is reached, the process for parents, children and healthcare professionals can be a long and stressful one.


Non-allergic food hypersensitivities, such as intolerances, arise because the body is unable to digest or reacts to certain naturally occurring component of foods, i.e., lactose or fructose, or, less commonly, food coloring, additives or preservatives. Non-allergic food hypersensitivities do not involve the immune system and are much more common than food allergies.


Food allergies arise due to the body’s immune system reacting to certain, normally harmless, allergy-triggering substances (allergens) in food. These allergens are almost always proteins. Proteins are one of the essential nutrients that make up the body, together with vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fat. Other components in food, such as lactose and sugar, do not act as allergens.


Certain allergens cause more reactions than others. Here are the top eight allergens accounting for approximately 90 percent of all allergic reactions to food in children: Egg, Milk, Fish, Wheat, Shellfish, Tree nut, Peanut, Soy.


The prevalence of food allergies, especially in the first years of life, has increased dramatically in the last 10 years or so. The challenge to find better ways to prevent and manage food allergies is a pressing one.

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45% to 50% of children
outgrow CMPA at 1 year,


60 to 75% at 2 years and


85 to 90% at 3 years.


Source: Koletzko S et al. Diagnostic approach and management of cow's-milk protein allergy in infants and children: ESPGHAN GI Committee practical guidelines. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012;55(2):221-9.

CMPA peaks in the first year of life, occurring in up to 3% of infants.


It falls to less than 1% in children 6 years of age and older.


Source: Koletzko S et al. Diagnostic approach and management of cow's-milk protein allergy in infants and children: ESPGHAN GI Committee practical guidelines. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012;55(2):221-9.

In rare cases breastfed babies can develop the symptoms of CMPA.


In such cases it may suffice for breastfeeding mothers to abstain from dairy products.


Source: Prescott SLet al. A global survey of changing patterns of food allergy burden in children. World Allergy Orgen J. 2013: 6(1): 21.

Food allergies are on the rise with a large increase seen in the last 10 years.


Food allergy in babies has reached 10% in some industrialized regions.


Source: Vandenplas Y et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cow’s milk protein allergy in infants. Arch Dis Child. 2007 Oct: 92 (10): 902-908.
Here are the top eight allergens accounting for approximately 90 percent of all allergic reactions to food in children.
Egg
Milk
Fish
Wheat
Shellfish
Tree nut
Peanut
Soy

Cow’s milk protein allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children.


Although cow’s milk protein is one of the most common food allergens in babies and toddlers it can be difficult to diagnose. Cow's milk protein allergy occurs when a baby’s immune system reacts negatively to the proteins in cow’s milk. If breastfed, the reaction is to the cow’s milk protein ingested by the mother and passed to the child through the breastmilk, and if formula-fed, the reaction is to the milk protein in the formula. In both cases the body’s immune system sees these proteins as foreign and in an effort to protect itself, the body releases natural substances, such as histamines, which cause the allergic symptoms that your baby might be experiencing.


Cow’s milk protein allergy generally occurs for the first time between the third and fifth month of life in affected children, but can also develop later in life.


Lactose intolerance is not the same as cow’s milk protein allergy.


Cow’s milk protein allergy and lactose intolerance are often confused. Although some symptoms such as diarrhoea, are similar, lactose intolerance is an inability to digest the lactose found in cow’s milk whereas cow’s milk protein allergy is an immune reaction to certain proteins within these milks. Lactose intolerance is extremely rare before 3 years of age, even in those with cow’s milk protein allergy. After all, breastmilk naturally contains a high amount of lactose.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS: COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY

The signs and symptoms linked with cow's milk protein allergy, ranging from colic and reflux to constipation, diarrhoea and crying, make diagnosis a real challenge.


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ACCURATE AND EARLY: DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT FOR COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY

Reflux? Constipation? Diarrhoea? Crying?
Could it be cow’s milk protein allergy?


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HCP TOOLS AND CASE STUDIES

Nutritional products for food allergy

BREASTFEEDING IS BEST FOR BABIES.


Nestlé Health Science has a range of paediatric products that can assist in maximising nutritional intake across a wide range of conditions including food allergies.

ALFARÉ® and ALFAMINO® are Infant Formula Products for Special Dietary Use. Products are not suitable for general use. ALFAMINO® Junior is a food for special medical purposes specifically formulated for children with severe allergy and/or food intolerances. Products must be used under medical supervision.


Breast milk is best for baby and provides ideal nutrition. Good maternal nutrition is important for preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Professional advice should be followed on infant feeding. Infant formula should be prepared and used exactly as directed or it could pose a health hazard. The preparation requirements and cost of providing infant formula until 12 months of age should be considered before making a decision to formula feed.


Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their infants have cow’s milk protein allergy. If a decision to use an infant formula for special dietary use is taken, it must be used under medical supervision.

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