POLOKWANE – We are in the middle of World Allergy week and the topic this year is The Global Problem of Food Allergy. Each year, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) addresses a different topic that has a need for greater awareness.
Review spoke to dietitian, Anke van Waveren about where food allergies start and how a parent can reduce the risk of of food allergy in their young children.
“There are three dietary areas to consider when wondering about allergy prevention. Your diet during pregnancy, diet during breastfeeding, whether or not breastfeeding or formula feeding can increase your baby’s risk for developing allergies and lastly your baby’s diet when starting to eat solid foods.”
• Diet during pregnancy
“There is not enough proof from research for dietary restrictions during pregnancy or breastfeeding in preventing food allergies. My advice to mothers is to eat all foods in moderation.”
That means eating a healthy balanced diet including all die food groups:
Starches such as meat, chicken, fish and meat alternatives (think chick peas, sugar beans, lentils and split peas.) Fruits, vegetables, dairy and dairy products (like yogurt, cheese etc.), fats and oils (in moderation) as well as something sweet every now and then.
• Breastfeeding and formula
“Research has found that exclusive breastfeeding up to four months can prevent childhood atopic disease. Childhood atopic disease includes eczema, hay fever, asthma, and food allergy. Exclusive breastfeeding means that your baby only drinks breast milk, nothing else – meaning no rooibos tea, no formula milk, no cow’s milk or even water.”
It is important to know that if you have a family history of allergies, meaning the baby’s mother, father, brother and or sisters have got food allergies, and you decide not to breastfeed your baby, you should give your baby a hypo-allergic or partially hydrolysed formula to drink.
“This formula however does not prevent allergies and babies with a cow’s milk allergy might still have an allergic reaction. Babies who have been diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy should be given specialized allergy formula, extensively hydrolysed formula or in severe cases amino acid based formula, to prevent allergic reaction to the cow’s milk in infant formula. Some research studies have even found that feeding your baby who has a cow’s milk allergy a soy based formula, might trigger an allergic reaction to soy as well.”
• Complementary foods – feeding baby solid food
“There is no evidence yet of benefits in delaying the introduction of allergenic foods, such as eggs, cow’s milk or peunuts, beyond four to six month of age for the prevention of atopic disease. In high-risk infants (with severe eczema, egg allergy, or both), new studies suggest that early introduction of peanuts may prevent peanut allergy, resulting in the recommendation to introduce peanut protein as early as between four and six months, under the supervision of the allergist. Similar research is currently being done with regards to egg and cow’s milk.”
Some people may ask “Should I avoid giving my baby foods that have a higher risk of allergies?” Some foods are more likely than others to cause allergic reactions. These foods are known as “common food allergens” (for example cow’s milk, peanuts, eggs, and fish) and include many of the important first foods that are offered to your baby. There is no reason to avoid giving your baby these foods. They are nutritious and some are a source of iron.
“Avoiding or waiting to give these foods will not prevent allergies, even in babies with a family history of food allergy. If you are concerned about food allergies, introduce the common food allergens one at a time, and wait two days before you offer common allergens. This makes it easier to tell which food is the problem if your baby has an allergic reaction. Watch for signs of allergies when you introduce a new food such as: rash, hives, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, vomiting, diarrhea or breathing problems. ”
Common food allergens include: eggs, fish, milk products like yogurt and cheese, nuts like almonds or cashew, peanuts or peanut butter, and sesame, shellfish such as lobster or shrimp, soy such as tofu, wheat (including iron-fortified infant cereals).
“Food allergy is an immune-mediated adverse reaction to food that can affect all body organs including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory system and can lead to anaphylaxis. Typically, the symptoms begin within two minutes to two hours after exposure. It has been estimated that at least 240 million people (3%) around the world may suffer from food allergy, and there is a growing concern globally.”
The quality of life of children and families is impacted by fear of accidental exposures and serious or fatal reactions to foods. Individuals with food allergy may experience challenges with dietary restrictions and uncomfortable social situations including bullying at school.
If you have questions or if there is a history of food allergy in your family (parents or siblings of your baby), talk with your local health care professional. Go to www.adsa.org.za to find a dietitian near you.
