Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the body’s response to the proteins found in cow’s milk. It is the most common food allergy in babies and young children. The allergic child usually develop sensitivity to more than one protein found in cow’s milk.
Reference:
- Düzgün, M., Sevdin, S., & Kermen, S. (2019). 0-6 ay süt çocuklarında inek sütü protein alerjisi varlığının değerlendirilmesi. Sağlık ve Yaşam Bilimleri Dergisi, 1(2), 7-11.
CMPA may cause a wide range of complaints of different severities in babies. It is important to distinguish early signs from late signs. Early signs develop within a few minutes to 2 hours after eating the food. Late signs may develop 48 hours, or even up to 1 week, after eating the food.
Reference:
Koca, T., & Akçam, M. (2015). Inek sütü protein alerjisi/Cow’s-milk protein allergy. Dicle Tip Dergisi, 42(2), 268.
Signs of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA)
Cow’s milk allergy should be suspected in children if diarrhea and vomiting, in some cases blood in the stool, as well as restlessness and crying due to pain is observed after starting cow’s milk.
Reference
- Öztürk, M., & Besler, H. T. (2008). Besin Alerjileri. Sağlık Bakanlığı. Ankara, 727:7-23.
Treatment Approach
The basic principles of CMPA treatment are accurate diagnosis, treatment of reactions, elimination diet, use of suitable formula in children under 2 years of age, supplementary treatment, growth and development monitoring, and education.
It should be kept in mind that breastfed babies may also develop CMPA. Breastfeeding should be continued in these babies, and if the clinical reaction has been clearly associated with the cow’s milk intake of the mother, milk and dairy products should be excluded from the mother’s diet.
Reference:
Koca, T., & Akçam, M. (2015). Inek sütü protein alerjisi/Cow’s-milk protein allergy. Dicle Tip Dergisi, 42(2), 268.
In case that cow’s milk is excluded from the mother’s diet, the following foods and other products containing relevant nutrients should also be excluded:
• Butter, other butter flavored oils, margarine
• Casein, caseinates
• All types of cheese, yoghurt, cream, custard
• Partially hydrolyzed products
• Products containing lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, lactose, lactulose
• Milk (skimmed, semi-skimmed, milk powder, milk proteins, milk of other animals)
• Pudding, halva, cake, biscuit, cookies, ice cream, pasta
• Flavoring agents
Reference:
Öztürk, M., & Besler, H. T. (2008). Besin Alerjileri. Sağlık Bakanlığı. Ankara, 727:7-23.
Extensively hydrolyzed, amino acid-based and rice-based formulas may be preferred for the treatment in cow’s milk protein allergy.1
If you are going to use special formula milk for your baby, it should definitely be under a physician’s control and supervision.
Reference:
Günaydın, N. C. (2019). İnek Sütü Alerjisine Güncel Yaklaşım. Namık Kemal Tıp Dergisi, 7(2), 146-155.
