How to identify an allergy to cow protein. Allergy to milk protein in infants symptoms

Allergy to cow's milk protein

Allergy to cow's milk protein (another good article)

Allergy to cow's milk protein occurs in 2 - 6% of children in the first year of life. The constant search for optimal approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this pathology leads to the regular appearance of new reviews, guidelines (or guides, from the English guide) and other publications. This guideline, dedicated to the development of a clear algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of cow's milk allergy, was presented in 2009. working group in Pediatric Gastroenterology under Emilia-Romagna.

Allergy to cow's milk protein (CMP) affects 2 to 6% of children under one year of age. About 50% of children recover from CMPA within the first year of life. 80-90% - during the first five years.

At the same time, it should be noted that parents begin to suspect an allergy to cow's milk proteins in children approximately 4 times more often than it actually occurs. For example, in many children, parents suspect CMPA based on symptoms such as skin rashes, sleep disturbances, persistent nasal congestion, seborrheic dermatitis, or positive results non-specific research. In addition, parents often prescribe an unnecessary diet to their children without adequate medical and dietary supervision.

These incorrect dietary restrictions can cause nutritional imbalances, especially in the first year of a child's life. That's why accurate diagnosis cow's milk protein allergy (CMP) is important not only to avoid the risk of rickets, decreased mineralization rate, anemia, growth retardation and hypoalbuminemia, but also due to immediate clinical reactions or severe gastroenteropathy leading to malabsorption.

Allergy to cow's milk protein: when to suspect?

Children with an allergy to cow's milk proteins are characterized by a burdened atopic history.

An allergy to cow's milk should be suspected in children who have these allergic reactions. immediate type as: acute urticaria/angioedema, wheezing, rhinitis, dry cough, vomiting, laryngeal edema, acute asthma with severe respiratory failure, anaphylaxis.

Delayed-type allergic reactions (or so-called late allergy symptoms), necessitating to diagnose on CMPA - these are: atopic dermatitis, chronic diarrhea, blood in the stool, iron deficiency anemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, chronic vomiting, colic, low weight gain (refusal to eat), enterocolitis syndrome, protein-losing enteropathy with hypoalbuminemia, eosinophilic esophagogastroenteropathy.

The diagnosis of "allergy to cow's milk proteins" is based on the detailing of anamnestic signs (Fig. 1), the results of a skin allergy test (prick test) and the detection of serum specific IgE to cow's milk proteins, positive effect from an elimination diet and a food challenge response.

Clinical manifestations of cow's milk protein allergy (CMP) can be divided into IgE-mediated clinical reactions (symptoms appear within 30 minutes after ingestion of cow's milk) and non-IgE-mediated reactions (onset hours and days after protein ingestion). cow's milk), with a predominant reaction from the skin and gastrointestinal tract. However, immediate and delayed type allergic reactions can be combined in atopic dermatitis and in eosinophilic esophagogastroenteritis. (Fig. 1)

Figure 1: Immediate and delayed allergic reactions in children with CMPA

Allergic reactions of immediate type:

anaphylaxis
acute urticaria
spicy angioedema(angioedema)
wheezing
rhinitis
dry cough
vomit
laryngeal edema
acute asthma with severe shortness of breath

Allergic reactions of the delayed type:

atopic dermatitis
chronic diarrhea, blood in the stool, iron deficiency anemia, constipation, chronic vomiting, infantile colic
growth retardation (refusal to eat)
protein-losing enteropathy with hypoalbuminemia
enterocolitic syndrome
eosinophilic esophagogastroenteropathy confirmed by biopsy

Allergy to cow's milk protein: prick tests and food challenge

Prick tests (allergy skin tests) are one of the most accurate laboratory methods confirmation/exclusion of cow's milk allergy: Approximately 60% of children with a positive prick test are indeed allergic to cow's milk proteins. The value of negative skin test results is considered even higher: over 95%. Additionally, a prick test can be applied with diagnostic drug from cow's milk substitute.

However, a small proportion of children with negative results of prick tests and serum IgE still develop clinical reactions characteristic of allergy to cow's milk proteins. Therefore, in such patients, despite a negative IgE test, with a strong suspicion of allergy to cow's milk protein, a food provocative test should be performed to prove the absence of clinical allergy.

Thus, the food challenge, open or blind, remains the "gold standard" for verification. food allergies(including allergies to cow's milk proteins) if the diagnosis is in doubt. A food challenge should be carried out under the supervision of a physician in an intensive care unit, especially in the case of a positive prick test or serum IgE to cow's milk and in infants, due to the risk of allergic reactions immediate type.

Hydrolyzed formulas and other milk substitutes: diet for CMPA

To replace cow's milk in the diet of children with allergies to its proteins, mixtures based on hydrolyzed protein, soy, rice, and milk from other domestic animals can be used. Unfortunately, any of listed products can also cause allergies.

Thus, about 10% of children with an allergy to cow's milk protein (CMP) react to mixtures prepared on the basis of hydrolyzed proteins (the so-called hydrolyzed mixtures).

Even more often, clinical manifestations of allergies in children under 6- one month old cause formulas based on soy (in older children, the incidence of allergic reactions to hydrolyzed protein and soy proteins are comparable). Soy mixtures provoke mainly gastrointestinal symptoms.

Rice is also a fairly allergenic product and, according to available data from Australian researchers, often provokes enterocolitis syndrome in Australian infants. In addition to Australia, rice-based formulas for feeding children allergic to cow's milk have also been used in Italy. Extensive long-term research promises to bring definitive clarity to the question of whether rice-based formulas can be used for cow's milk allergy as a viable alternative to this product. To date, it is believed that rice mixtures can be used in individual cases, taking into account the taste and cost of the mixture.

The milk of other mammals is insufficiently dietary adequate. In particular, goat's milk causes clinical reactions in more than 90% of children allergic to cow's milk proteins. Donkey milk - 15%, and has a high cost.

Food home cooking as an alternative to milk, it can be allowed for children from 4 months.

Separately, it should be noted mixtures based on amino acids. Amino acid-based mixtures do not cause allergies, however, their use is limited due to the high cost and extremely specific taste.

Algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of suspected allergy to cow's milk proteins

If an allergy to cow's milk proteins is suspected, pediatricians and parents are forced to solve the problem of not only confirming / excluding this diagnosis, but also further nutrition child. To facilitate this task, the Emilia-Romagna group, according to the symptoms and type of infant diet, proposed three different algorithms for diagnosis and further management of patients. They are reflected in Fig. 2,3,4

These approaches apply to children of the first year of life.

Babies with mild to moderate allergy symptoms (cow's milk formula feeding)

Rice. 2. Babies with mild to moderate allergy symptoms (cow's milk formula feeding)

Diagnosis and treatment algorithm for suspected allergy to cow's milk proteins: explanation for Fig. 2

The pediatrician should suspect cow's milk protein allergy on a free diet only in the most severe cases. Mild allergic reactions can be difficult to interpret because they may be the result of causes unrelated to an allergy to cow's milk proteins.

With a relatively late onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, other pathology (i.e. infections) must be ruled out before testing for allergic reactions is initiated. In moderate atopic dermatitis, the suspicion of cow's milk protein allergy is not justified in the absence of a clear relationship between cow's milk consumption and the onset of symptoms. However, if any of the symptoms listed are clearly related to cow's milk formula, then it is recommended to eliminate cow's milk from the diet and follow the course of action for severe reactions (Fig. 3)

In infants with symptoms of allergic reactions of immediate type (vomiting, angioedema, wheezing, rhinitis, dry cough) or delayed type (moderate/severe atopic dermatitis, diarrhea, blood in the stool, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) , constipation), an allergy to cow's milk protein may be suspected. In addition, this diagnosis should be considered in infants not responding to therapy.

If an allergy to cow's milk proteins is suspected, the infant is prescribed an elimination diet for 2-4 weeks, excluding cow's milk protein (for 4 weeks - in the presence of gastrointestinal signs). Infants should be fed hydrolyzed milk formulas or soy formulas (the last recommendation is for children over 6 months of age in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms).

If the allergy symptoms subside at the same time, a food provocative test (FPT) with cow's milk proteins is necessary to verify the diagnosis. If PPP is positive, the child must follow an elimination diet, after which the test can be repeated after 6 months (for GERD - more than short span), and in any case, after 9-12 months of age. If the food challenge test is negative, a free diet is prescribed.

In the presence of high probability development of IgE-mediated reactions of the immediate type, in infants who do not respond to therapy with formulas based on hydrolyzed protein (hydrolyzed formulas) or soy, a food challenge test can be performed after 14- daily diet amino acid mixtures.

Cow's milk substitutes are used in children under 12 months of age. In older children allergic to cow's milk proteins, due to the availability of an adequate diet, formulas based on hydrolysed protein or amino acid formulas are rarely required.

Infantile colic (more than 3 hours of crying per day, 3 days for three weeks) is definitely not considered as a consequence of an allergy to cow's milk.

Children with severe cow's milk protein allergy (cow's milk formula feeding)

Rice. 3. Children with severe cow's milk protein allergy (cow's milk formula feeding)

Diagnosis and treatment algorithm for confirmed allergy to cow's milk proteins: explanations for Fig. 3

Immediate allergic reactions include: laryngeal edema, acute dyspnea with severe respiratory failure, anaphylaxis.

Delayed-type allergic reactions: chronic diarrhea or chronic vomiting with low growth, intestinal bleeding with iron deficiency anemia(IDA), protein-losing enteropathy with hypoalbuminemia, biopsy-proven eosinophilic gastroenteropathy.

If any of these symptoms are due to a suspected allergy to cow's milk proteins, the infant is placed on a milk-free elimination diet. Soy formula (in children over 6 months of age), hydrolyzed formula, or amino acid formula can be used as a substitute. The initiation of treatment with hydrolyzed or soy mixtures should be under medical supervision, due to possible clinical reactions. If an amino acid formula is used, it should be used for 2 weeks, after which the infant should be switched to soy or hydrolysed formula.

In children with late severe symptoms gastrointestinal disorders, with low height/weight, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, or eosinophilic esophagogastroenteropathy, it is recommended to start the elimination diet with an amino acid mixture, and then switch to a hydrolyzed mixture. The effect of the diet should be checked within 10 days for enterocolitis syndrome, 1-3 weeks for enteropathy and 6 weeks for eosinophilic esophagogastroenteropathy.

In children with anaphylaxis and confirmed positive IgE tests or severe gastrointestinal reactions, a food challenge is not needed to verify the diagnosis. It should be performed no earlier than 6-12 months from the last reaction. Children should follow an elimination diet until the age of 12 months, and with enterocolitis syndrome - up to 2-3 years.

Children with severe allergic symptoms of any plan should be admitted to a specialized hospital.

Hydrolyzed protein formula or amino acid formula is used in children under 12 months of age and in older children with gastrointestinal symptoms. In children older than 12 months with anaphylaxis, the need to use cow's milk substitutes in the diet does not always arise.

Breastfed baby and suspected allergy to cow's milk proteins

(Fig. 4) Algorithm for dealing with suspected non-IgE mediated reactions to cow's milk proteins in breastfed infants

Algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of breastfed children with suspected allergy to cow's milk proteins: explanation for Fig. 4

In children who are fully breastfed, the symptoms of cow's milk protein allergy (atopic dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, GERD, etc.) are almost always not IgE mediated. Therefore, with moderate symptoms of these disorders, it is not recommended to exclude milk from the mother's diet. To date, there is no evidence for the significance of eliminating eggs or cow's milk from the mother's diet, for example, in infants with blood in their stools (proctocolitis).

From the diet of mothers whose children have moderate severe symptoms, cow's milk protein, eggs and other foods should be eliminated only if a clear clinical reaction is noted. In addition, the infant must be hospitalized in a specialized hospital. The maternal elimination diet should last for 4 weeks. If there is no improvement, the diet should be discontinued. If symptoms improve, it is recommended that the mother take a large number of cow's milk for 1 week. If symptoms return, the mother should continue the elimination diet with additional calcium intake.

The infant can be weaned according to the recommendations common with healthy children, but cow's milk should be avoided until 9-12 months of age, and for at least 6 months from the start of the diet.

If the volume of breast milk is insufficient, then a mixture based on hydrolyzed proteins or a formula based on soy (after 6 months of age) is used for supplementary feeding. If the symptoms do not worsen after the mother restarts cow's milk, the eliminated foods can be gradually introduced into the diet in turn.

Allergy to cow's milk protein in children: a summary

The definitive diagnosis of cow's milk protein allergy is based on a food challenge test performed after a 2-4 week elimination diet.
A diagnostic food challenge (DPT) is not performed for immediate-type allergic reactions or delayed-type allergic reactions (gastrointestinal symptoms with anemia, decreased growth or hypoalbuminemia) if the causative role of cow's milk is obvious. If it is necessary to conduct a food provocation test, it can be performed no earlier than 6-12 months after the reaction and no earlier than 12-24 months of life, according to the symptoms.
Diets prescribed in baby food (including maternal breastfeeding) should be balanced. Children who are allergic to cow's milk protein are given additional calcium.
Children with mild atopic dermatitis and a negative history of reactions to cow's milk do not require a diet.
Soy formula should not be used in infants less than 6 months of age with allergic symptoms and older infants with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Children with gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia, short stature and hypoalbuminemia should receive amino acid based formulas followed by a switch to hydrolyzed formulas.
Hydrolyzed protein formulas and amino acid formulas are used in infants up to 12 months of age and in older children with severe gastrointestinal symptoms.
In children older than 12 months with anaphylaxis, it is not always necessary to use cow's milk substitutes.

The article deals with the problem of milk allergy in children. The manifestations of the reaction, the possibilities of treatment and diet are described.

Allergy in children is a common disease that every mother needs to know about. Due to the fact that the child's body does not function quite the same as in an adult, the problem of allergies is so important and relevant.

The peculiarity of food allergies in children is that it is mainly due to the immaturity of the digestive system. Due to the insufficient activity of enzymes and their small number, as well as unformed intestinal biocenosis, allergens that enter the stomach and intestines actively affect the body.

This mechanism underlies the formation of food allergies in children. However, at timely detection and treatment, and as the child grows and matures, the allergy may eventually disappear.

Causes of milk allergy in children

In this article, we will take a closer look at the most frequent view food allergies in children - allergy to milk.

Allergy to cow's milk

Cow's milk is the most highly allergenic type of milk. Another name for such an allergy is an allergy to milk protein (cow's milk protein).

Photo: Food allergies most often manifest themselves as various rashes on the face

This concept is general and non-specific, since cow's milk contains more than 20 proteins that can cause an allergic reaction. The most important of them is casein. (causes an allergic reaction more often than others), α- and β-lactalbumins.

goat milk allergy

Much less common than cow's milk allergy due to low content allergenic proteins. Goat milk is considered hypoallergenic and is included in many food products for allergy sufferers, infant formulas.

Therefore, if an allergy in a baby also manifests itself in goat's milk, you should carefully read the composition of specialized products and exclude those products where it is contained.

Allergy to mother's milk

With an allergy to mother's milk, the reaction does not occur to substances produced by the mother's body, but to allergens from her diet. Thus, if a hypoallergenic diet is observed, mother's milk will also not contain allergens and will not cause a reaction in the baby.

More detailed information about allergies to breast milk – .

It is important not to confuse milk allergy per se with lactose (or other milk components) intolerance.

If in the first case we are talking about immune mechanism development of the reaction, and manifestations can be very different, from the gastrointestinal to the skin, then in the second we are talking about enzymatic deficiency.

In this case, the manifestations will be only food. Of course, allergies can occur against the background of lactase deficiency, but this is not always the case.

Allergy in older children more often occurs on any particular product / substance, and is associated with persistent sensitization of the body. Such an allergy has nothing to do with the immaturity of the body and, as in adults, will be observed every time you are exposed to an allergen.

Other possible reason allergies to milk protein in a child - dysbacteriosis, in which the number of "beneficial" bacteria involved in the processing of allergen proteins in the digestive tract is reduced. Dysbacteriosis can occur after past infection, against the background of a weakened immune system, or after taking a course of antibiotics.

Gastrointestinal symptoms - a common manifestation of an allergic reaction to milk

Treatment of dysbacteriosis consists in taking probiotic drugs that restore normal microflora intestines:

Bifiform Baby,
Linex for children,
Acipol.

In this case, allergy is also a temporary concept, and with the restoration of microflora it will disappear.

If children are allergic to milk, it must be replaced with other products containing enough calcium and other necessary substances, without which the child's body will not be able to fully grow and develop.

How does milk allergy manifest in children?

In infants, milk allergy is manifested mainly skin symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Photo: Red rash around the mouth as a symptom of milk allergy in infants

From the gastrointestinal tract:

The most common is vomiting after feeding;
In addition, it manifests itself in the form of regurgitation, colic and stool disorders.

Another possible manifestation is skin changes:

dry skin;
red, itchy rash around the mouth;
eczema, hives.

A child with allergies behaves restlessly, cries a lot, sleeps poorly. In addition, breathing problems may occur immediately after consuming the product.

Treatment and diagnosis of milk protein allergy in children

Due to the fact that Small child will not tell us what is bothering him, and because of the similarity of allergy symptoms and many other diseases, when diagnosing milk allergy in children, laboratory methods should be preferred:

skin allergy tests,
determination of specific immunoglobulins IgE, IgG to cow's milk.

Price this study in various laboratories varies from 400 to 1000 r.

When confirming an allergy, two important areas of therapy should be observed: a hypoallergenic diet and the treatment of the allergic reaction itself.

What to do if the allergy has already manifested itself? You should not wait until it passes on its own - with such tactics, complications are possible in the form of a dangerous systemic allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock).

At the first manifestations of allergies, the child should be given an antiallergic (antihistamine) agent approved for use at the appropriate age, for example:

Suprastin- approved for use in children older than 1 month (daily dose - ¼ tablet).
Fenistil(drops) - for children older than 1 month; daily dose in children 1-12 months - from 9 to 30 drops, a single dose of 3-10 drops.
Peritol(syrup) - for children older than 6 months, the dose is calculated according to the instructions, based on the weight of the child.
Zyrtec(drops) - for children older than 6 months, dosage - 5 drops 1 time per day.

Attention!

For children from birth to 1 month, the appointment of antiallergic drugs is possible, but with caution and under the supervision of a doctor!

If a small amount of time (up to 1-2 hours) has passed from the moment of taking an allergen-containing product to the manifestation of an allergy, enterosorbents will help to stop or slow down the allergic reaction - drugs that bind and remove harmful substances (including allergens) from the stomach and intestines.

A photo: Possible manifestations allergy to cow's milk in a child

For use by children from birth are allowed:

Enterosgel- 2.5 g (0.5 teaspoon) of the drug should be mixed in a triple volume of breast milk or water and given before each feeding - 6 times / day.
Polysorb- with a child weighing up to 10 kg - a daily dose of 0.5-1.5 teaspoons
Smecta- 1 sachet per day.

Also, in the presence of allergies, it is most important to exclude the effect of the allergen on the body. So, if you are allergic to cow's milk, you must follow a hypoallergenic diet (read below) and do not consume milk and all products containing it in the composition.

At the same time, allergies to sour-milk products may not be observed, since most of the antigens are deactivated during their production. In this case, the use of yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese, cheese and other fermented milk products is acceptable.

Diet food for allergies

The diet for an allergy to cow's milk in a child should be balanced and contain a sufficient amount of nutrients, vitamins, microelements.

The first complementary foods for children with allergies are introduced later, from the seventh month of life, the second - from the eighth. According to Tatyana Maksimycheva, a pediatrician, an employee of the Department of Nutrition for Children and Adolescents of the Russian Medical Academy Graduate education, the proteins of fermented milk products are much less aggressive, and in some cases such products are suitable for feeding children with allergies.

Calcium is a very important and often deficient micronutrient for children with cow's milk allergy, and a sufficient amount of calcium-containing foods should be included in the diet on a hypoallergenic diet.

An example of a diet for an allergy to cow's milk protein is given on his website by Dr. Komarovsky.

Sample menu for cow's milk allergy:

When it comes to children over three years old it is useful to include prunes, figs, canned fish with bones, beans in the menu for allergies to milk. It is acceptable to use any meat, but without sauces containing milk.

Forbidden any bakery products that include milk: pancakes, donuts, pancakes, biscuits, etc. Cocoa is prepared on the water, or replaced by other drinks - tea, fruit juices.

Replacing cow's milk with milk from other animals

approximate cost 150 rubles / liter.

Allergy to goat's milk is possible, but extremely rare due to the low allergen content. In the absence of an allergic reaction to goat's milk, it is recommended to introduce it into the child's diet.

It contains a large amount of nutrients, macro- and microelements, and its beneficial properties even surpass cow's milk.

More exotic product - hypoallergenic camel milk. It can be purchased at camel farms, which are not available in all cities of our country, costing about 3,000 rubles / liter.

However, Dr. E.O. Komarovsky argues that if a child has an allergy to cow's milk, most likely it will also develop to goat's or sheep's milk, so replacing one with another is not advisable.

An overview of formulas for a child with a milk allergy

Allergy to milk in infants important problem, which can be solved by feeding the child with hypoallergenic mixtures.

In connection with the manifestations of allergies in children, the use of hypoallergenic mixtures is often necessary. There is now a wide range of hypoallergenic products from different manufacturers. In this article, we will take a closer look at the most popular of them and see what the differences are.

Nutrilak Nutrilak Peptidi MCT

Hypoallergenic formula for feeding children from birth.

According to reviews, the mixture is well suited for children with an allergy to goat's milk and intolerance to other hypoallergenic mixtures. The disadvantages include a specific smell and a bitter taste, which is why some children refuse this product.

Approximate cost - 780 r / 300 gr.

NUTRICIA Nutrilon Nutrilon Pepti MSC

Hypoallergenic formula for feeding children from 0 to 12 months.

Due to the high degree of protein hydrolysis, it has low allergenicity. The mixture, due to the rather high content of glucose, is more palatable, but at the same time, it worsens it. useful qualities. In addition, the mixture contains quite high content maltose and galactose, which can cause allergies and intolerances.

When using this mixture, the color of the child's stool may change (acquire a greenish tint).

Many parents are convinced of the healing power of cow's milk. After all, it is also intended for nutrition, like breastfeeding. And it is true. Medicinal properties product are undeniable. But there are children who show signs of a strong allergy to this healing dish. Why does this happen and what are the symptoms of this disease?

Symptoms

Many people confuse intolerance and allergy. The second should be understood as a specific reaction of the immune system to the protein. And intolerance to immunity has nothing to do. This is just a feature of the body, it is difficult for it to digest certain foods due to its immaturity.

Allergies, usually by the age of 4 - 5, go away in many babies. It does not carry much danger, but it still requires treatment. It is necessary to find out all the causes and diseases against which such a reaction may develop.

Symptoms in a child can appear in two ways: fast, within a few hours, and slow, over several days. What is typical:

Changes in the skin: redness, rashes on the cheeks, forearms, buttocks.
The work of the respiratory system is difficult: runny nose, sneezing, coughing.
The work of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed: flatulence, colic, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating.

A change in the skin is the most obvious sign that the baby has health problems. Often, redness resembles nettle burns, as in the photo. Also, the child can see the presence of eczema, this is the appearance of bubbles, which then, bursting, resemble erosion. Eczema can be seen in this photo.

It is difficult when such symptoms appear in a child in the first weeks of life. After drinking milk, thick mucus appears in the stool, as in the photo. The baby behaves restlessly, he starts flatulence or colic, appetite decreases, sleep becomes disturbing. But after stopping feeding him cow's milk, these signs fade away after 3 days. If you continue to feed the child against the background backlash, this can lead to bad results. In addition to dermatitis, there will be severe itching and the baby will comb it. Combed areas, as in the photo, provoke re-infection.

But the most deplorable is anaphylaxis in infants. When cow's milk protein enters the body, the child begins to have severe swelling of the throat, the muscles of the larynx spasm, the skin turns pale, as in the photo. Convulsions begin. Help is needed immediately.

The reasons

There are about 20 types of cow's milk protein. The most common is casein. For comparison, beef protein loses its properties when cooked. And babies who are allergic to beef do not risk anything by eating boiled meat. But milk does not lose its properties when boiled. After all, its protein will not collapse.

There are several reasons for the onset of allergy symptoms. Here is the complete list:

The inheritance of the child. If parents have at least some predisposition to any allergic reactions: bronchial asthma, food allergies, hay fever and more.
Incorrect dilution of the mixture. Each box has breeding instructions. There are exact proportions and there is a measuring spoon. It is required to strictly observe the ratio of water and powder in order to avoid trouble.
Sudden transfer of a baby from breastfeeding to formula milk. Now most manufacturers make products based on cow's milk, which contains the cause of trouble - protein. With a sharp transition to such a product, the immature immune system of the baby may react with the appearance of a rash, as in the photo or a runny nose. The same with the rapid introduction of new complementary foods. You need to enter carefully, in small portions, increasing them from day to day.
stressful situations. The introduction of complementary foods, the transition to the mixture should not fall on the period of illness of the baby, vaccinations, any situation that causes stress. Even the correct and gradual introduction of complementary foods should not coincide with such situations.
Lactase. Improper functioning of the immune system can provoke an allergy to cow's milk protein. But this concept must be shared with lactose intolerance (intolerance milk sugar). The symptoms are similar.

Only 3% of children are diagnosed with a food allergy. The most common cause is cow's milk protein. This problem occurs in 3 - 5% of children under one year of age who are bottle-fed. In babies on chest type nutrition, the disease is observed in only 0.5 - 1.5% of cases. Fortunately, in 85% of children this feature disappears by 3 years. But, despite such figures, allergy to cow protein remains a major problem in pediatrics. In addition, against this background, sensitivity to other allergens often occurs: dust, plants, etc.

Diagnostics

It is quite difficult to make a diagnosis on your own. Symptoms may be the cause of other diseases. Only a doctor can determine this. To do this, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor during the manifestations of an allergic reaction. Pay attention to the hereditary factor, which very often causes a violation of the baby's immune system. The tendency of parents to bronchial asthma or urticaria will serve as a significant reason for such deviations in the health of the child.

Be sure the specialist will pay attention to the weight gain of the baby. For accurate diagnosis, a prick test is performed or allergy tests are taken. The result of such studies is the determination of the presence in the blood of immunoglobulins E.

In certain cases, a provocative test is performed. But this type of research requires the presence in the hospital and the supervision of specialists.

Treatment

One of the methods of treatment is to adjust the child's menu. With a natural type of feeding, the mother should not consume dairy products. In addition, it is best to exclude other allergens: citrus fruits, chocolate, eggs. This is especially true of the peak of the disease. When the baby is bottle-fed, you need to change the mixture. Sometimes good option is the introduction of goat's milk into the diet. The thing is that with cow it has significant differences.

The main difference is in its easy digestibility. Due to this, it is digested faster without causing a negative reaction. There are even special meals based on goat raw materials. But this is in case of intolerance to cow protein. If the cause of the rash in general is all dairy products, you will also have to refuse food on goat raw materials. A soy or hypoallergenic formula may be an option.

For the treatment of medicines are used:

Enterosorbents that help the fastest and most effective removal of various toxins. The most famous: Enterosgel, Laktofiltrum, Activated carbon. But the use of other drugs is permissible no less than 2.5 hours after taking enterosorbents.
Antihistamine or anti-allergic, eliminating signs of allergies. Each baby has its own remedy, but the most commonly used are: Zirtek, Zodak, Claritin.
Hormonal agents used in especially severe cases.
Ointments are often used, as skin rashes are not uncommon in the disease. Until a year old, a child is unable to understand and endure itching. Therefore, strong combing begins, wounds form, as in the photo. For their calm and speedy healing, Bepanten, Fenistil are recommended.

From traditional medicine, dill seed and a string are used. Irritated skin, as in the photo, itching and swelling perfectly helps to calm the sequence. Decoctions are used externally, making lotions and adding it when bathing in a bath. In addition, it is not forbidden to ingest, starting with a few drops.

Dill seed has a beneficial effect on the elimination unpleasant symptoms gastrointestinal tract. It is used for diarrhea, colic, frequent regurgitation. They also begin to give a few drops, gradually increasing the dose to a teaspoon.

But, it is worth remembering that the use of folk remedies along with medicines requires mandatory consultation with a doctor. Only he can make an accurate diagnosis and conduct appropriate tests.

The benefits of natural cow's milk and products made from it are undeniable, but at the same time, an allergy to cow's protein in infants is a fairly common phenomenon. Such a reaction greatly complicates the choice of mixtures for feeding the baby and the further introduction of complementary foods. In most children, by about 4-5 years of age, the allergy to cow protein disappears completely. But still, when a reaction to dairy products appears, it is imperative to undergo a diagnosis to identify diseases that can worsen the course of allergies and cause many problems.

Today, an allergy to cow's milk protein affects about 5-8% of all infants. There is an allergy to this protein and its intolerance. The first case is a special reaction of the immune system, the second is the difficulty of digesting certain foods and has nothing to do with the immune system.

An allergy to cow protein in infants most often does not threaten life and does not belong to severe pathologies, but it significantly complicates the life of parents. In half of the children, such a reaction to cow's milk disappears by the age of one, and after reaching the age of five, almost 90% of children get rid of this pathology. Lifelong intolerance to cow's milk is very rare.

Allergy to cow protein in infants: symptoms

Symptoms of bovine protein allergy in infants can develop in two ways: immediate - within a couple of hours, or delayed - over several days. Signs of such a violation are:

Redness and eruptions on the buttocks, cheeks and forearms.
Nasal congestion, rapid breathing, runny nose, coughing, sneezing.
Vomiting, colic, belching, diarrhea with foam, flatulence.

Particularly severe symptoms from the digestive system are observed in children in the first weeks of life. They may experience vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea after drinking milk, with traces of thick mucus. In addition, there is a capriciousness and irritability of the child, a violation of sleep and appetite. If there is no repeated intake of milk, all symptoms begin to disappear after three days.

With the continuation of feeding the child with dairy products, the signs of allergy will increase. Itchy dermatoses, swelling and redness appear on the skin. Since itching allergic rash very strong, scratching may occur and secondary infection may occur.

One of the most serious manifestations of an allergy to cow's milk protein is anaphylaxis. This condition is characterized by a rapid sudden onset and development. After taking milk, the child's skin turns pale, swelling of the throat and face and spasm of the muscles of the larynx begin. In parallel with this, a convulsive syndrome appears. In the absence of urgent medical care the consequences can be severe.

Causes of cow protein allergy in infants

There are up to 20 varieties of cow's milk proteins, most of all here are caseins. Most often, the reaction is caused by several types of such proteins. Some children also develop beef allergies. However, when cooking at high temperatures meat protein becomes inactive, but milk - retains its activity even when boiled.

There are several reasons for the development of an allergy to cow protein in infants:

Genetic hereditary tendency to the appearance of allergic reactions. It does not matter what kind of reaction the baby's relatives have: food allergies, hay fever, bronchial asthma, and more.
Artificial feeding. Especially often, an allergy to milk protein appears with a rapid transition from breast milk to artificial nutrition or with a sharp introduction of a new product into the diet.
Incorrect dilution of infant formula.
Diseases and stressful situations. The transition to a new formula or the introduction of milk (as well as other new products) into the diet should not coincide with vaccinations, colds, extreme heat, dysbacteriosis and others. stressful situations in a baby's life.
Lactase. The cause of an allergy to cow protein in infants is an incorrect reaction of the immune system to this product. This pathology must be differentiated from lactose deficiency, accompanied by similar symptoms.

Diagnosis of protein allergy in infants

To determine if a child is allergic to cow protein, you need to visit a pediatrician who will prescribe a complex necessary examinations. An important role in the diagnosis of protein allergy in infants is given to such data as the manifestation of an allergy in a baby and the presence of certain diseases in his relatives ( atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, hay fever, urticaria, etc.). The doctor also pays attention to how the child is gaining weight.

To diagnose a protein allergy, a prick test, or allergy test, is usually performed. As a result of this study, the presence of immunoglobulin E proteins in the blood is revealed.

In some cases, against the background of the absence of dairy products in the diet, a provocative test is performed. But this type of diagnosis requires close attention of doctors and stay in the hospital.

Treating babies for cow protein allergy

Most important point treatment of infants from cow protein allergy is the exclusion from the diet of milk and its derivatives, especially in acute period illness. If the baby is bottle-fed, then he needs to pick up a special hypoallergenic mixture. Most often, mixtures based on protein hydrolysates are chosen.

Sometimes an allergy to goat's milk does not appear. In this case, it can be introduced into the diet, but only gradually and in small quantities, carefully monitoring the child's condition and possible reaction.

In the treatment of allergies to cow protein in infants, medications are also used:

Enterosorbents. They help to quickly remove toxins and products from the body, allergic. Enterosgel, activated carbon, Laktofiltrum and others are used. At the same time, other drugs can be given only 1.5-2 hours after taking enterosorbents.
Antihistamines. Eliminate manifestations of allergies. From this group, children are used: Claritin, Erius, Zirtek, Suprastinex.
Hormonal medicines. They are appointed at severe forms allergies.
Ointments. Helps to quickly remove skin rashes. Non-hormonal ointments used in children include Bepanten, Skin-Cap, Fenistil.

Apart from drug treatment, it is imperative to reconsider the mother's diet (when breastfeeding) or the composition of the mixture (for artificial people). The diet of a nursing mother whose child is prone to allergies excludes the use of foods such as nuts, eggs, milk and its derivatives, chocolate, citrus fruits, and so on.

Folk remedies that help to cope with the manifestations of allergies and strengthen the immune system include string, dill seed and others. A decoction is prepared from the string. Baths and lotions from it help relieve itching, swelling and skin rashes. Such a decoction can be given to a child for oral administration, starting with a couple of drops. Tea from a series of light golden color helps to relieve allergy symptoms. A decoction of dill seed is used in violation of the digestive process: colic, regurgitation, diarrhea. To prepare it, pour half a small spoonful of seeds into a glass of boiling water. Initially, a single dose is only 3-4 drops, which are given to the baby several times a day. Gradually increase this dose to a whole spoonful.

One of the first allergens that a newborn baby encounters is cow's milk protein. It causes a reaction in every twentieth baby.

There are certain ways by which you can identify that the baby is suffering from an allergy to cow's milk, and improve his well-being.

Causes of intolerance

An allergy is an immune response to foreign substances.

But the digestive system of the baby is still so immature that sometimes it does not have enough enzymes to fully break down the protein. Separate links of the protein chain are perceived immune cells as alien, as a result of which the baby develops an allergy to cow's milk protein.

Factors that increase the risk of developing intolerance in a newborn:

Heredity;
Unfavorable ecological situation;
Complicated course of pregnancy (threat of miscarriage, fetal hypoxia, preeclampsia, and so on);
Artificial feeding;
The nature of the nutrition of a nursing mother.

By the age of 2-3, when the child's digestive system is mature enough to resist allergens, many children outgrow the milk protein allergy. But some of them are allergic to dairy products throughout their lives.

Milk allergy symptoms

Symptoms of allergy to cow's milk protein in infants are diverse.

All manifestations of allergy to milk protein can be combined into several large groups:

From the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea (sometimes interspersed with blood or mucus), colic, profuse regurgitation after eating, increased gas formation, lagging behind in weight from their peers, bleeding, dehydration;
On the part of the skin: milk scab (crusts on the head), atopic dermatitis, urticaria, eczema, Quincke's edema;
From the respiratory system: allergic rhinitis, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing.

When they occur, there is a real threat to the health and life of the newborn, and he needs urgent help from doctors.

Way out

The allergist makes a diagnosis after examining the child, interviewing the mother and receiving test results. To identify allergies, you need to take a blood test for allergens, a stool test and a skin prick test.

The strategy for dealing with allergies is determined by the way the child is fed. If the baby is breastfed, the mother is prescribed a special diet.

She will have to give up not only milk, but also all products containing it ( butter, cream, cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, condensed milk and so on). A noticeable improvement in the condition of the newborn should occur in 14-30 days.

If the baby is fed with an adapted mixture, it is necessary to exclude the usual mixtures that are made on the basis of cow's milk. The baby is switched to either goat milk formula (NANNIE, Goat) or hydrolysate formula.

Feeding with goat's milk formula cannot be 100% guaranteed to get rid of allergies, because the baby may also have a reaction to it. Another disadvantage of these mixtures is their high cost compared to conventional ones.

In hydrolysate mixtures, the protein molecules are already partially broken down, so they are easier to digest. Depending on the severity of allergy manifestations, a mixture with partial or deep protein hydrolysis is selected.

On the packaging of such mixtures there is always a mark "hypoallergenic". After six months of using them, you can make a second attempt to return to normal baby food based on cow's milk.

Conclusion

The main weapon in the fight against allergies is the correct diagnosis. After identifying the allergen and excluding it from the baby's diet, the child's condition will improve much. It is highly likely that with age, the manifestation of such a factor as an allergy to cow's milk protein in infants will weaken or disappear altogether.

moditya.com

Allergy or lactase deficiency?

To properly get rid of local symptoms and eliminate the risk of secondary food allergies, you need to understand what kind of ailment babies suffer from. Children under 4 years of age experience some problems with the absorption of milk protein, and with allergies with mild manifestations, this is normal. But in addition to insufficient fermentation (this is the reason that causes partial indigestion of milk protein), there are more serious problem- lactase deficiency.

This is an extreme dairy protein intolerance. The body of a child 1 year old and younger with insufficiency cannot absorb not only fermented milk products, but also sheep, cow, even mother's milk. There are simply no enzymes in his gastrointestinal tract that could cope with the breakdown of a complex milk peptide, which can be manifested by vomiting, diarrhea. A peptide is a component of a protein, which is then broken down into amino acids. In addition to it, the composition of the mixtures contains milk sugar. Both peptides and milk sugar are contraindicated for a baby with lactase deficiency.

The diet of a baby with this problem excludes all dairy products, the child is transferred from breastfeeding to artificial. Read more about the diet for children with lactase intolerance - below.

In the video, Dr. Komarovsky talks about cow's milk:

Reaction to mother's milk

Subject to the rules of breastfeeding, a child cannot develop an allergy to mother's milk. When symptoms appear, the influence of two reasons is likely:

Artificial additives, vegetable or dairy are added to food;
The child is lactose intolerant.

When added to food additional elements you should immediately exclude them and seek the advice of a doctor. If the case is in lactase deficiency, which causes rejection, the child is registered with a local pediatrician and must be fed with a special diet, since the disease itself will not go away.

Symptoms of the disease

Allergy to cow's milk protein or other dairy product presents with several symptoms varying degrees gravity. These include both skin rashes and problems with the digestive system or respiratory tract. How does milk allergy manifest itself? Easiest to notice skin manifestations:

red rashes (atopic dermatitis);
rash with small dots(hives);
milk scab;
swelling of the neck and head region (Quincke's edema).

Quincke's edema is the most dangerous. This is an instant allergic reaction that develops within half an hour to an hour and can be fatal. Edema is primarily affected by the respiratory organs. At the first stages of tumor growth, the respiratory lumen is closed, the small allergy sufferer has nothing to breathe. To relieve swelling, ventilate the lungs at the time of the peak of swelling and save the life of a child with allergies, it is necessary to call an ambulance. Numerous skin rashes are also dangerous. They can easily harm the still fragile body of the baby, especially if he has not reached the age of 1 year.

An allergy to cow's milk, goat's or sheep's milk also manifests itself in the form of specific respiratory problems:

narrowing of the airways;
hoarseness when breathing;
cough;
runny nose;
sputum.

Most of these symptoms pose a serious threat to the baby. If symptoms that manifest as a dairy allergy prevent him from getting enough oxygen, Ambulance is the only solution.

It is important to know how an allergy to cow's protein manifests itself in infants, symptoms when affecting the gastrointestinal tract:

diarrhea;
constipation;
vomit;
too frequent spitting up;
underweight (determined by the development table and the words of the doctor).

Digestive problems are the most harmless for a child, the main thing is that each one goes away. But there are facts that are rarely noticeable (even a mother may not reveal them), but they serious reason see a doctor. When blood clots appear in the stool, with a strong underweight, a doctor's examination is mandatory.

How to distinguish allergies from other body problems

Allergy to sour-milk products is not a necessary prerequisite for negative manifestations. To distinguish the reaction of the body to an allergen from a chronic or temporary illness, you need to know which disease symptoms it is similar to.

With problems of the respiratory type, the cause is not caused by allergies, but by the presence of bronchitis, asthma, or a common cold. To distinguish the disease, it is best to consult a doctor, but at home, you can also try to separate the ailments. infectious and others respiratory diseases characterized by the appearance of temperature, weakness, runny nose in newborns.

Poisoning or intoxication of the body with harmful substances can often be confused with a reaction to an allergen. Only a specialist can check what exactly is wrong with the child.

The easiest way is for the mother, who introduced complementary foods to the baby gradually. A newborn without symptoms of the disease suddenly starts to cough - it means he is to blame new food. Having determined its shelf life and other characteristics, it is easy to understand whether the matter is poisoning or wrong approach to allergens.

In the video, an allergist-immunologist talks about an allergy to milk:

Reasons for the appearance

Allergic reactions of the body rarely appear just like that. They are based on either hereditary predisposition or problematic environment.

The behavior of the mother and her genes mainly affect the development of allergies. If in the family (from the side of the father too) allergies were noticed with a reaction to milk protein, then the disease is genetic and incurable. It can only be compensated by symptomatic treatment. If the allergy to dairy products developed gradually, then the point is too early complementary foods or nutrition of the wet nurse. If she consumed a lot of sweet milk ingredients, seafood, then the risk of a negative reaction to allergens increases.

If the child was taken away from the mother early and switched to artificial feeding, then with a probability of 30% he will develop an allergic predisposition.

Wheat allergy or other problems are more likely to appear. Possible further negative reaction to milk and eggs. The program developed by Komarovsky will help reduce the risk.

The harmful effect of a dairy product on a child can be caused by the ingress of chemicals into it. This happens when treating an animal that then produced milk. Feeding cereals, kefir, cottage cheese allows such a reason.

Often, the reaction to milk in children under one year old is especially strong, and disappears when they reach 4 years old, but can turn into other manifestations: intolerance to eggs, etc. Finally, the primary allergy disappears at the age of 5 years.

What to replace milk

Dairy products make up the majority of a person's diet in the first 2 years of life. How to replace milk, yet you can not give too many cereals, meat and vegetable products? When a negative reaction to cow's milk is manifested in an infant, it seems to mothers that now it will be very difficult to make up a child's nutrition. However, milk allergy has one peculiarity.

Except in cases of lactase deficiency, the child cannot be exposed to cross allergy for cow's milk, sheep's or goat's immediately. The cross state is characterized by the fact that a person has intolerance to several related products. This does not happen with milk and dry mixes, since each animal product contains its own protein. In cows it is casein, and in goats and sheep it is another substance. Only reactions to powdered milk, which contains cow protein, are likely.

If an allergy to goat's milk is noticed, then the possibility of intolerance to sheep's or cow's milk is extremely small. The milk of some animals is simply replaced by another.

How to feed a child with lactase deficiency? It's harder to find a way out here. It does not allow you to eat any products with dairy components. Allergy to milk in children is more gentle, but for children with insufficiency, special fermented mixtures are being developed. At the extreme stage of the development of the disease, a mixture with one of the types of amino acids is used - the end product of the breakdown of the substance. Excluded just in case Wheat flour, which can also be an allergen.

When compiling a diet, it should be taken into account that the mixtures replace only part of the dairy products. They cannot form the basis of other fermented milk products. Then the child needs to be distracted by other types of food: vegetable purees, canned meat for children, which are easy to give after a year. The main thing is that the composition does not include predominantly egg white.

In order to avoid the development of allergies, you need to follow a few simple rules feeding the child and transferring him to adult food:

Maximum breastfeeding. Usually, other types of food begin to be fed at about 4 months, but to completely eliminate the likelihood of an acquired allergy, experts advise starting to enter only at 8 months. One of these specialists is the allergist Komarovsky. He does not offer treatment for allergies, but seeks ways to relieve symptoms.
When switching to a new diet, start with fermented milk products or dietary mixtures. They include only partially fermented dairy products (peptides and sugars) in their composition. Such content is digested much easier and is necessary for the transition to a new food.
You need to enter only one product at a time, it is better - one new food in 3-4 days. Then it will be easier to track down what caused the food allergy and whether it is a reaction to other types of food.

The main rule is how to make proper diet the baby is the care and attention of the mother. Until the child has reached the age of 4 years, the problem is especially dangerous.

Proper introduction of complementary foods and a full check of the baby for allergies - the only way recognize an allergic reaction and reduce the risk of it occurring. You need to understand that the reaction can even be to milk porridge. The later the baby is weaned from the mother's breast and transferred to artificial or fermented milk nutrition, all the better.

We must not forget that even with the right balance of nutrition, breastfeeding and constant supervision of a child, he may suddenly develop an allergy. In this case, you can not ignore the symptoms, you must urgently contact pediatrician and call an ambulance.

po-detski.ru

Allergy to cow protein in infants: symptoms

Symptoms of bovine protein allergy in infants can develop in two ways: immediate - within a couple of hours, or delayed - over several days. Signs of such a violation are:

Redness and eruptions on the buttocks, cheeks and forearms.
Nasal congestion, rapid breathing, runny nose, coughing, sneezing.
Vomiting, colic, belching, diarrhea with foam, flatulence.

Particularly severe symptoms from the digestive system are observed in children in the first weeks of life. After drinking milk, they may experience vomiting, bloating and diarrhea, while traces of thick mucus are present in the feces. In addition, there is a capriciousness and irritability of the child, a violation of sleep and appetite. If there is no repeated intake of milk, all symptoms begin to disappear after three days.

With the continuation of feeding the child with dairy products, the signs of allergy will increase. Itchy dermatoses, swelling and redness appear on the skin. Since the itching with an allergic rash is very severe, scratching may occur and secondary infection may occur.

Causes of cow protein allergy in infants

There are up to 20 varieties of cow's milk proteins, most of all here are caseins. Most often, the reaction is caused by several types of such proteins. Some children also develop beef allergies. However, when cooked at high temperatures, meat protein becomes inactive, while milk protein retains its activity even when boiled.

There are several reasons for the development of an allergy to cow protein in infants:

Genetic hereditary tendency to the appearance of allergic reactions. It does not matter what kind of reaction the baby's relatives have: food allergies, hay fever, bronchial asthma, and more.
Artificial feeding. Especially often, an allergy to milk protein appears with a rapid transition from breast milk to artificial nutrition or with a sharp introduction of a new product into the diet.
Incorrect dilution of infant formula.
Diseases and stressful situations. The transition to a new formula or the introduction of milk (as well as other new products) into the diet should not coincide with vaccinations, colds, extreme heat, dysbacteriosis and other stressful situations in the baby's life.
Lactase. The cause of an allergy to cow protein in infants is an incorrect reaction of the immune system to this product. This pathology must be differentiated from lactose deficiency, accompanied by similar symptoms.

Diagnosis of protein allergy in infants

To determine if a child is allergic to cow protein, you need to visit a pediatrician who will prescribe a set of necessary examinations. An important role in the diagnosis of protein allergy in infants is given to such data as the manifestation of an allergy in a baby and the presence of certain diseases in his relatives (atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, hay fever, urticaria, and others). The doctor also pays attention to how the child is gaining weight.

To diagnose a protein allergy, a prick test, or allergy test, is usually performed. As a result of this study, the presence of immunoglobulin E proteins in the blood is revealed.

grudnichki.com

Causes of milk allergy

There are two reasons that contribute to the development of allergies in childhood:

Complete or relative lactase deficiency - this condition develops in the body of those babies who, from birth, do not produce enough special enzyme lactase, which is involved in the breakdown of milk lactose. As a result of such incomplete breakdown of animal protein, substances are formed that can be perceived by the body as harmful (foreign).
Intolerance to the protein itself, contained in cow's (goat's, sheep's, etc.) milk.

For artificial feeding of children with this pathology, special mixtures prepared on a dairy-free basis or using vegetable milk (soy, rice, oat, coconut, etc.) should be used.

Main symptoms

As a rule, a reaction of any type does not develop after one use of a dairy product. true allergy It does not appear immediately, but after re-entering the digestive system of cow's or other milk. The process of allergization of the body takes at least 1 hour, in some children the first symptoms of food allergies may appear after 1-2 days. This should be taken into account when taking an anamnesis at a doctor's appointment.

Common symptoms of milk allergy in babies are:

Skin manifestations - rashes, peeling, areas of redness, diaper rash, itching.
Appetite disturbance - a decrease in the volume or frequency of feedings, a complete refusal of the baby to eat.
Dyspeptic disorders - frequent regurgitation immediately after feeding, periodic vomiting.
Intestinal symptoms - frequent stools with sour smell, diarrhea, intestinal colic, bloating.
Stopping weight gain, underweight.
Pathology of the respiratory system - increased production of nasopharyngeal mucus, swelling of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing for the baby.
A rare form of milk allergy is an anaphylactic reaction.

Casein Allergy Diagnosis

Recognizing the cause of an allergy on your own is quite difficult, without having special knowledge. Help with diagnosis causative factor Only an allergist can. He will be able to establish the final verdict after collecting all the complaints, a detailed examination of the baby, conducting additional studies and specific tests.

Common symptoms of food allergies are skin manifestations - rash, irritation, dryness of certain parts of the body. To identify causal relationships between skin rashes and milk allergy, it is enough to conduct food diary, to exclude from the diet of the child milk and mixtures based on it. It is also possible for trained medical staff"provocative test".

If the baby has other symptoms (intestinal, respiratory), diagnosis between different types of allergens is possible only with the help of special surveys(skin tests, determination of immunoglobulin E to various products).

In favor of an allergy to milk in infants, a hereditary history also testifies. Most members of the same family can be clearly traced food intolerance for dairy products or various kinds allergic reactions when using them.

Principles of treatment of food allergy to milk

To prevent the development of allergic reactions in young children, highly adapted formulas are made on a dairy-free basis, using soy or hydrolyzed protein.

Preventive mixtures include: "Nutrilon hypoallergenic 1, 2", "NAS hypoallergenic 1, 2". For therapeutic purposes, highly adapted mixtures are used: Alfare, Frisopep, Nutrilon-Pepti TSC, etc. Lactose-free products for artificial feeding help to cope with lactase deficiency.

As the child grows older and with the introduction of complementary foods, products made from milk and dairy components should be avoided. Also, with a delay from the usual deadlines, ingredients with a high percentage of allergenicity should be given - eggs, fish, cottage cheese, nuts.

With obvious skin rashes and itching, it is reasonable to use external ointments that reduce these manifestations, as well as antihistamines. Preference should be given to drugs with a minimal effect on the central nervous system (desloratadine).

Eliminate protein from digestive tract help sorbents. Their use should not exceed 2-3 days, so as not to provoke constipation in the child.

Forecast

Over time, a milk allergy in a baby can go away on its own. In the process of growing up, the baby gradually differentiates and improves its digestive organs and enzymes, the immune system, which allows the body to completely break down milk sugar into glucose and galactose. A fully digested protein is not able to stimulate an atypical immune response.

Relative lactase deficiency, in certain cases, can be compensated after puberty, but complete lactose intolerance remains with the child for the rest of his life. Such children need to additionally receive calcium supplements so that the skeletal system can develop fully.

mama66.ru

What causes the development of milk allergy?

About 5% of babies are lactose intolerant. Allergy to milk casein in young children develops regardless of what kind of feeding they are on. However, according to statistics, children who receive breast milk are much less likely to suffer from hypersensitivity, in addition, the severity of clinical manifestations in infants who feed on mixtures is higher.

An allergic reaction develops as a response to ingestion in the gastrointestinal tract food products containing a foreign protein. Cow's milk contains more than 25 types of protein, the most active of which are casein, alpha- and beta-lactoglobulins, and albumin.

Due to the fact that in the stomach small child certain groups of enzymes may be absent; animal proteins that enter the gastrointestinal tract are not broken down to monomeric components. As a result, useful substances cannot be completely absorbed through the mucous membrane. The baby's body perceives them as foreign cells and reacts with an allergy to protein.

Reactions are of two types. True hypersensitivity develops even with the use of a small amount of milk due to a lack of degrading enzymes. A pseudo-allergic reaction occurs due to excessive consumption of the product, when the stomach cannot cope with the processing of such an amount of milk.

Allergy to cow protein in infants appears in two cases:

when the baby is breastfed, and the mother ate a dairy product;
when feeding with a formula based on powdered milk.

The best food for a newborn in the first six months of life is breast milk, which contains all necessary substances for the baby, and also easy to digest. Any foreign proteins easily penetrate through the insufficiently formed gastric mucosa and small intestine, therefore, can lead to an allergy to milk protein in infants.

The likelihood of an increased reaction of the body in a child increases in the presence of predisposing factors:

A tendency to allergies is observed in one of the parents.
During fetal development, the baby was exposed to adverse influence environment or harmful substances.
The mother had pathological conditions when carrying a baby, such as toxicosis, preeclampsia, or fetal hypoxia.

Symptoms

Antigens are carried in the bloodstream various bodies, therefore, there are no unequivocal signs of how an allergy in infants to cow's milk manifests itself. After all, pathology can affect both the skin and be expressed in dyspeptic disorders.

Symptoms of hypersensitivity can become more pronounced when ARVI occurs, weakening defensive reaction, infectious pathology and in stressful situations.

For milk allergy in infants are characteristic specific symptoms from some systems:

gastrointestinal tract;
skin;
respiratory system.

Malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract that occur as a response to an allergy to cow's milk in infants:

Diarrhea. The baby has loose stools, in which there are food particles, as well as curdled milk.
Vomit. It looks like profuse regurgitation, accompanied by crying and anxiety.
Admixture of blood in feces indicates a serious course of allergy symptoms.
Abdominal pain. The baby signals anxiety, crying or whims about discomfort in the intestines. This symptom must be differentiated from colic.
Children after a year may indicate that they are disturbed by discomfort in the epigastrium. This condition is typical for allergies, because upon contact with a foreign protein, histamine is released, which leads to hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid.

How else is an allergy to milk manifested in a baby?

It may occur on skin which is expressed by the following symptoms:

Atopic dermatitis - a rash in the popliteal region, on the elbows, cheeks, forehead, chin.
Milk scab - often appears in formula-fed children and is manifested by the formation of dense white crusts on the scalp.

Respiratory symptoms are rare. It can be manifested by the secretion of mucus from the nasal passages, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath. In exceptional cases, bronchial asthma develops.

Diagnostics

How to determine an allergy to milk in a baby? With such a question, you need to contact the pediatrician. After examining the child, the doctor will ask some questions about situations when a reaction occurs, and also ask if there are allergies in the family.

To establish whether an allergy is a response to the intake of cow's or goat's milk, laboratory and clinical tests should be performed in infants:

Fecal analysis.
A blood test for the content of antibodies to allergens.
Skin tests.

Allergy to cow's milk protein in infants is similar to lactase deficiency, the presence of the latter can be determined using an analysis to detect stomach enzymes.

Treatment

The key to preventing the recurrence of an increased reaction of the body to cow's milk protein is a special lactose-free diet recommended for allergies. With artificial feeding, the baby needs to choose a dairy-free mixture, which is based on protein hydrolysates.

To combat hypersensitivity to casein and albumin, drugs are also used:

antihistamines - remove the external signs of the reaction, have a hyposensitizing effect (Suprastin, Loratadin);
corticosteroids - prescribed for severe severe symptoms(hydrocortisone);
enterosorbents - effective in the development of intestinal disorders, remove toxins (activated carbon, Enterosgel).

When a baby does not tolerate lactose protein, mothers have a question whether a child can be allergic to goat's milk, whether it will be possible to give it to a baby and thereby compensate for the missing nutrients contained in dairy products. Hypersensitivity sometimes develops to goat's milk, but this happens much less frequently.

Forecasts

Unfortunately, the number of children with allergies is increasing every year. However medical diagnostics makes it possible to establish the cause of hyperreactivity of the body and choose ways to get rid of it.

According to statistics, by the end of the first year of life, about half of children suffering from milk allergy completely get rid of this problem. And by the age of three, the pathology remains in no more than 10-15% of babies.

Can allergies be prevented?

To avoid the occurrence of an allergy to cow's protein in infants, as well as to reduce the severity of hypersensitivity symptoms, some rules should be followed:

Watch your diet during pregnancy, give up foods that can cause allergies.
Remember that nicotine and alcohol not only have negative impact on the fetus, but can also cause hypersensitivity of the body - increased sensitivity to certain substances.
When breastfeeding during the first months, a young mother should be excluded from the menu of foods that may develop allergies. Read more about the nutrition of a nursing mother →
If you have problems digesting milk protein in an infant, switch to a lactose-free or fermented milk formula.

A developing allergy to milk protein negatively affects the state of the body, due to which the baby may experience symptoms of various pathologies from the side internal organs. Dermatological problems also appear quite often.

If hypersensitization has not been eliminated, then the likelihood of developing bronchial asthma, as well as suppression of the infant's immune system, increases. It is for this reason that it is important to detect allergies in a timely manner and take measures to get rid of it.