Gelisim News

Frequent vomiting in babies can be a sign of cow's milk allergy

"Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies in infants and children younger than 3 years old. In early childhood, it can be seen in 7 out of every 100 children" said Asst. Prof. Dr. Hatice Bulut, Child Health and Diseases by drawing attention to the rise in milk allergy and the risks it poses in our country.

Cow's milk allergy, which affects both children and adults, can develop due to a variety of factors. Asst. Prof. Dr. Hatice Bulut, Department of Child Development, Child Health and Diseases at Istanbul Gelisim University discussed what should be done to against cow's milk allergy, which is common in babies under the age of three.

IT MAY CAUSE LIFE THREATENING REACTIONS

Cow's milk allergy is emerged by an abnormal immune response when milk or milk-based foods are consumed. When evaluating the type of allergy, which can have serious symptoms ranging from clinically sudden, life-threatening reactions to chronic long-term conditions, and reactions that negatively affect the patient's and their family's life quality, Asst. Prof. Dr. Hatice Bulut stated the following: 
"Cow's milk allergy, the most common type of food allergy in children, occurs as a result of an immune system overreaction to one or more of the proteins in milk." This type of allergy, which characterizes itself in infants in their first months of life, can manifest itself within days or weeks of feeding formula containing cow's milk. Allergy can appear as the following symptoms:

- 50-60% of urticaria, contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis,
- Bloody or mucus-like stools, excessive gas and swelling in the abdomen, frequent vomiting,
- Nausea, colic, dysphagia, diarrhea, constipation, growth retardation
- Frequent wheezing, coughing attacks, pallor of the nasal mucosa and nasal - postnasal drip, nasal congestion.

MAGNESIUM INTAKE FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS IS SIGNIFICANT!

A physical examination, skin test, and many other tests are used to diagnose cow's milk allergy. It is critical to diagnose and treat milk allergy before the age of 2, as symptoms usually appear between 6 and 12 months. Mothers generally begin a diet free of milk and dairy products for babies with milk allergies who continue to be breastfed. Breastfeeding mothers who follow such diets should take 1000 mg of calcium per day.

BEEF ALLERGY IS ALSO SEEN IN CHILDREN WITH COW MILK ALLERGY

Since foods containing cow's milk are eliminated from the diet as the base of the treatment of cow's milk allergy (CMA), designing a feeding scheme for breastfed babies in accordance with these conditions during the transition to complementary foods makes life easier for both mother and baby. Another notable point is that the rate of cross-reaction between cow's milk and goat's milk is extremely high, and its consumption is not advised.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Bulut also emphasized that 13% to 20% of children with cow's milk allergy are also allergic to beef. Hence, children with allergies should be followed up with at regular intervals at pediatric allergy and pediatric health and diseases polyclinics.