Is your baby allergic to cow’s milk?
Does your infant have an allergy to cow's milk? Here's why diagnosing it and managing it is important for your child's growth and development.
Dr Marinda McDonald, an allergy specialist at the Rosebank Allergy Clinic in Johannesburg, speaking at the annual congress of the Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA) in Port Elizabeth, stressed that parents need to constantly monitor their babies who suffer from allergies to cow’s milk. Often, parents simply avoid feeding milk or milk-based products throughout their infancy when a child is diagnosed with cow’s milk allergy. Dr McDonald, however, says that kids can sometimes outgrow milk allergies. This is why it is important to have regular check-ups with an allergy specialist.
Undiagnosed allergies to milk can harm the health of your baby
Undiagnosed milk allergies may be equally detrimental to a child’s development, says Dr McDonald. “There is, of course, the risk of a child experiencing anaphylaxis, which is potentially life-threatening.” There is also a condition known as non-IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy, which presents symptoms such as an upset stomach, with or without blood in the stool, and severe eczema, colic, and/or rhinitis. This is the most difficult to diagnose since the child’s blood tests often yield negative results. Left unchecked, this could lead to damage to the organs, such as the esophagus or liver.
The significance of diagnosis
“It is vital to have a child properly diagnosed by a trained medical professional,” says Fiona Mcguirk, product manager at Cipla. “A doctor takes factors such as family and feeding as well as previous treatment history into account. A blood test or a skin prick test is then performed, and based on the information gathered, a treatment plan is devised. A blood test without a good history, or a knowledgeable person interpreting it, is not adequate for the diagnosis of cow’s milk protein allergy.”
Finding a cow’s milk substitute
Dr McDonald adds that children with milk protein allergy need adequate diet plans to replace the nutrients they are not getting due to this allergic condition. “To start, one can’t use any mammalian milk to replace cow’s milk. Goat’s or mare’s milk are still likely to trigger allergies. Soya is also controversial because of the Phytoestrogens contained in the milk. Most guidelines state that it should not be used before 6 months of age. There is also a 50% chance of children with non-IgE milk allergy having reactions to it.” Fiona says the best option for parents is to give babies with diagnosed cow’s milk protein allergy the correct milk formula as recommended and prescribed by a healthcare professional. Dr McDonald points out that adequate nutrition may be the most important aspect to remember. “In my experience, I have seen children who are malnourished and who develop a host of additional problems as a result of their diets not being supplemented with suitable milk substitutes.” She reiterates that parents managing their child’s allergies need to keep three things in mind at all times. “This includes ensuring an accurate diagnosis, consistent follow-ups with medical professionals, and always providing the correct nutrition to the child.”
