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How to handle cow’s milk protein allergy in children

Cow’s milk protein allergy is most common in children under one year of age, with adverse effects on the baby’s development if not appropriately intervened.

According to TS.BS Dao Thi Yen Phi – former Head of the Department of Nutrition, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine; Senior consultant Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System, cow’s milk protein allergy in children occurs when the proteins in cow’s milk are considered harmful ingredients by the child’s immune system. From there, the body responds by producing IgE immune antibodies that neutralize these proteins (because they are recognized as allergens).

Generally, the two main proteins in cow’s milk that cause allergies are casein, which is found in the solid (curd) part when the milk curds. The second is whey, found in the liquid that remains after the milk has curdled.

In subsequent exposures to cow’s milk protein, immune antibodies tell the immune system to release histamine and other allergen mediators, causing common allergies in babies such as itching, hives, and rashes. hives, rash, difficulty breathing, nausea, diarrhea even cause anaphylaxis.





Cow's milk protein allergy is often accompanied by skin reactions such as eczema, redness.  Photo: Shutterstock

Cow’s milk protein allergy is often accompanied by skin reactions such as eczema, redness. Photo: Shutterstock

“Children with cow’s milk protein allergy are at risk of some other allergic diseases such as: allergies to other foods (eggs, soy, peanuts, beef, peanuts…), atopic dermatitis, Asthma and allergic rhinitis, therefore, children need to be detected and intervened in a timely manner to ensure they can develop up to standards,” added Dr. BS Dao Thi Yen Phi.

Signs that a child has a cow’s milk protein allergy

According to TS.BS Dao Thi Yen Phi, children with cow’s milk protein allergy often have unclear clinical manifestations. If parents do not pay attention or do not have professional information, it will be difficult to recognize. The way to accurately identify a child with cow’s milk protein allergy is that parents should take the child to a doctor and do relevant tests.

However, usually, if a child is allergic to cow’s milk protein, symptoms may appear as soon as 2 hours after drinking cow’s milk or after 48 hours. Some manifestations of cow’s milk protein allergy in children are as follows: difficulty breathing, wheezing; swelling of the lips and eyelids; hives, rash all over the body; Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps. loose stools or blood in the stools; frequent regurgitation and vomiting; persistent fatigue, which may occur as often as more than 3 days per week.

The above symptoms easily cause children to wake up halfway, cry, be tired and may cause anorexia. More seriously, cow’s milk protein allergy can also cause anaphylaxis and endanger the baby’s life.

Currently, there is no definitive conclusion on the cause of cow’s milk protein allergy in children. However, according to TS.BS Yen Phi, allergies are inherited, so children will have a high risk of cow’s milk protein allergy if their parents have a history of allergic diseases such as fever, itching or allergies of all kinds. food.

How to care for children allergic to cow’s milk protein

Abstaining from cow’s milk and cow’s milk products is the first priority right after the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy. For young children, the best way to prevent cow’s milk protein allergy is to breastfeed. For babies under 12 months of age, milk is the main food, if breast milk does not meet the baby’s needs, it can be used more formula containing hydrolysed protein from 2 to 4 weeks.





Breastfeeding is a solution to prevent cow's milk protein allergy in children.  Photo: Shutterstock

Breastfeeding is a solution to prevent cow’s milk protein allergy in children. Photo: Shutterstock

For the mother, if the baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein and is still breastfeeding, the mother needs to control the foods she eats every day. Cow’s milk still has the risk of appearing in the ingredients of other products.

Cow’s milk protein allergy is usually temporary in nature, and children can recover completely from 1 to 4 years of age. At that time, the mother can let the child try again nutritional products containing intact cow’s milk protein. If no reaction occurs, your baby can resume a normal diet of cow’s milk and dairy products. If your baby still has symptoms of a cow’s milk allergy, parents should continue to keep their baby on fully hydrolyzed formula for at least 6-12 months.

“Children who are allergic to cow’s milk protein are also often advised to avoid using other types of animal milk, for example goat’s milk protein has the same composition as cow’s milk protein. Therefore, parents should not arbitrarily give it to them. When the child is suspected of having a cow’s milk protein allergy, parents should take the child to a reputable medical facility for testing and accurate diagnosis, from which the doctor will give a way effective treatment”, emphasized Dr. BS Yen Phi.

Tu Quyen

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