Generally speaking, doctors will classify milk protein allergy into mild to moderate and severe according to the clinical manifestations of the baby.
1. Gastrointestinal tract
Repeated reflux, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation (with or without perianal eczema), blood in the stool.
2. Skin
Eczema-like manifestations, erythema, wind-bloom, angioedema.
3.Respiratory system
Non-infectious runny nose, chronic cough and wheezing.
4.General
Persistent intestinal cramps (≥3h/d, ≥3 times/week, lasting ≥3 weeks).
Severe: those with 1 or more of the following symptoms.
1.Gastrointestinal tract
Growth disturbance due to food refusal, diarrhea, vomiting or reflux, moderate to massive blood in the stool resulting in decreased hemoglobin, protein-losing enteropathy, endoscopically or histologically confirmed enteropathy or ulcerative colitis.
2. Skin
Severe exudative eczema-like manifestations with growth disturbance, low protein anemia or iron deficiency anemia.
3.Respiratory system
Acute laryngeal edema or bronchial obstruction with respiratory distress.
4.Severe allergic reaction
Allergy progresses rapidly and involves more than two organ systems, especially the cardiovascular system, showing a drop in blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia, or even anaphylaxis.
Doctors and parents have different opinions on the prevention of milk protein allergy, so let’s see what the following guidelines say.
1. Maternal pregnancy and lactation interventions
There is no evidence that avoidance of milk and eggs during pregnancy reduces the incidence of allergic disease in the baby, while dietary interventions during breastfeeding may reduce the incidence and severity of eczema in the short term. However, in order to avoid malnutrition in the mother and fetus/infant, restricting the mother’s diet during pregnancy and lactation to prevent milk protein allergy is not recommended.
So the mother should ensure adequate nutrition ah, not because of fear of allergies to reduce protein intake.
2.Exclusive breastfeeding
There is controversy about whether breastfeeding can prevent or delay allergic diseases. It is currently believed that for at-risk babies, exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4-6 months can help reduce the incidence of dermatitis and milk protein allergy within 2 years of age.
So, still breast milk is good!
3, partially hydrolyzed milk powder
Compared with breast milk, hydrolyzed milk powder has no advantage in preventing milk protein allergy; however, for high-risk babies who cannot be breastfed, hydrolyzed formulas can be used to prevent or postpone the occurrence of atopic dermatitis and milk allergy in babies at an early age. However, soy formula or other animal milks are not recommended for prevention. Ditto, still breast milk is good.
4.Introduction of complementary foods
The relationship between the timing of the introduction of complementary foods and the occurrence of allergic diseases is not certain. It is recommended that babies with milk protein allergy follow the guidelines for healthy infant and toddler feeding. Adding complementary foods is really the most controversial, personally I think it depends on the specific situation of each baby, add according to the feeding guidelines, if you find a certain kind of allergy, avoid it later.
5.Other
Available evidence indicates that adding probiotics or prebiotics can reduce the occurrence of eczema, but cannot prevent other allergic diseases and food allergies.
Probiotics are also a hot topic in the treatment of milk protein allergy, but they are still useful, but not a “miracle drug”.