Allergy to cow’s milk is the most common
food allergy in childhood: CMA affects 2-7% of babies under one year old, but many time both doctors and parents confuse milk allergy symptoms with other conditions.
The problem lies in the symptoms - gastrointestinal, dermatological, respiratory and behavioural - being both vague and common.
Left untreated, infants with food allergies can fail to thrive and grow and have severe shock. If a parent suspects their baby has a milk allergy then they should see their doctor who can refer them to a pediatric dietitian.
A systematic review has evaluated the
efficacy of
amino acid-based formulas (AAF) in cow's milk allergy
diagnosis.
In infants with confirmed or suspected CMA,
amino acid-based formulas and Extensive Hydrolysed Formulas (eHF) are equally efficacious at relieving the symptoms. However, infants in specific subgroups (e.g. non-
IgE mediated food-induced gastro-
enterocolitis-
proctitis syndromes with failure to thrive, severe atopic
eczema, or with symptoms during exclusive breastfeeding) were more likely overall to benefit from AAF, as intolerance to eHF may occur. In such cases, symptoms persisting despite eHF feeding usually remit on AAF, and catch-up growth may be seen.
Source: Clinical and Experimental Allergy