Common Baby Allergies
Statistics show that food allergies and intolerances are rising steeply, including in young babies. While the causes are complex and linked to several factors, the phenomenon itself is now well-identified: the organism comes into contact with a substance it does not recognise (or no longer recognises as safe) and activates its defence system in order to eliminate the intruder. While there are many different symptoms, the solution is to eliminate the ingredient from your baby's diet and reintroduce it slowly at a later date. This is best done under the supervision of a dietitian and paediatric allergist.
Here are some answers to key questions you may have on the subject.
Does breastfeeding help to prevent food allergies?
Generally speaking, breastfeeding may reduce the risk of food allergies.
In high-risk families with a history of allergies (father, mother, etc.), particularly allergies to proteins found in cow's milk, breastfeeding is strongly recommended. Ideally, your baby should be exclusively breastfed in early life. From the point of view of the immune system, breastfeeding makes your baby more resistant. The digestive system also matures more effectively. It is beneficial for solid foods to be introduced gradually while your baby is still being breast fed.
What symptoms do these allergies produce?
Depending on the food responsible, symptoms to look out for can include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, hives, slight swelling of the lips and tongue, eczema, asthma and recurrent ear, nose and throat infections, not forgetting possible disruption to the child's growth rate.
What are the main allergenic foods?
From the introduction of solids until three years of age the four main allergenic foods are: eggs, gluten, peanuts and cow's milk proteins.
Egg allergy is the most common type of food allergy in Australian children. If your child is diagnosed with an egg allergy, note that many food products are manufactured using ingredients containing eggs - read the label and list of ingredients carefully. A dietitian can help teach you the best way to read the food label. Always introduce cooked egg to your baby.
Gluten is a protein found in cereals such as rye, oats, wheat (including bread wheat, spelt and kamut) and barley. As soon as a gluten allergy is diagnosed, all products derived from these cereals must be eliminated from the diet. Until a diagnosis is made it is recommended gluten be introduced from six months even if there is a family history of allergy. Doing so, with the added protection of breastfeeding, may decrease the chances of developing Coeliac Disease and this is an area of active research.
Like eggs and gluten, peanuts are present in many industrial food products not designed for children. It is up to you to read the label in order to detect the slightest presence and avoid them if your baby has a confirmed allergy, otherwise, you may introduce small tastes of natural peanut butter during solids introduction in the first year.
Cow's milk proteins
Allergy to cow’s milk proteins is common, particularly in young infants.
Other categories of potentially allergenic ingredients:
- Dried fruit;
- Other Tree nuts (hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, almonds, walnuts);
- Tropical fruits (kiwi fruits, mangos),
- Seeds (poppy, sesame);
- Modified proteins (soya protein, surimi);
- Protein-based food additives (α-amylase, carmine, casein, vegetable starch);
- Legumes (broad beans, beans, peas, chick peas);
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries);
- The latex group (bananas, avocados, chestnuts).
What you should know:
- Always cook fruit and vegetables thoroughly (before reducing them to a purée or compote) as cooking can reduce their allergenic properties;
- Introduce new foods one at a time - preferably in the morning so you are alert to any adverse reactions over the course of the day;
- If possible, continue to breastfeed during the introduction of solid foods.
Who can diagnose an allergy?
In the first instance, your GP or paediatrician may prescribe a blood test. It is then recommended that you consult an allergist. You can even find specialised infant allergists.
Can allergies be cured?
No medical cure currently exists for food allergies. However it is possible that your baby will outgrow their allergy so your doctor may challenge your child at specific time points to check this, under medical supervision.
Cow's Milk Allergy or Intolerance
Cow's milk may be the cause of either an allergy to the proteins (casein or whey) found in cow's milk which provokes a defensive reaction by the immune system or an intolerance to the sugar in milk (lactose), often resulting from an insufficient secretion of lactase, the enzyme which breaks down lactose, in the intestine.
The number of cases of allergies to cow's milk proteins has doubled in the past ten years (there are many causes and the list is still vague according to specialists). “In Australia and New Zealand around 2 per cent (1 in 50) babies are allergic to cow's milk and dairy products. Although most children outgrow cow's milk allergy by the age of 4 years, persistent cow's milk allergy may sometimes occur. However, ongoing symptoms in adults are very rare.” Australasian Society of Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
It is not easy to recognise this type of allergy or intolerance as the signs vary and may be confused with other conditions.
Indications of an allergy to cow's milk proteins:
- Skin: hives, eczema, redness or paleness in the face, oedema (swelling);
- Digestive: regurgitation, vomiting, constipation, chronic diarrhoea (in newborns), stomach pain (in young children);
- Respiratory: wheezy cough, asthma, difficulty breathing.
The outcome if diagnosed
If your baby is seen by a paediatric allergist, an extensively hydrolysed-protein formula will often be prescribed. This substitute for cow's milk is designed for young infants (not to be confused with a HA formula). This special milk is no less rich than your baby's previous milk formula and will contribute just as effectively to his growth. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate feeding plan for your infant.
Indications of lactose intolerance include:
- acute and irritable diarrhoea that can be frothy;
- bloating and stomach cramps;
- excessive wind;
- nappy rash;
In order to confirm the suspicions of your healthcare professional, your child may be asked to undergo full allergy testing with a specialist. Tests are often inaccurate and elimination and retrial of suspected foods may be the better option.
There is a history of allergies in my family. Is this a factor?
A parent or sibling may be allergic to cow's milk without the new baby inheriting the same allergy. That said, a higher level of food allergies have been observed in families with a history of allergy and intolerances. If you have a family history of allergies you should let your health professional know as this may help them determine the best way to possibly prevent allergies occurring in your baby.
What about soy milk?
The Australasian Society of Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) advise that there is no benefit of giving soy formula if a young infant has a diagnosed cow milk protein allergy.
What foods to give
Although an allergy to cow's milk will complicate the manner in which you feed your baby, your allergist and regular healthcare professional will be able to advise and help you throughout his nutritional development. Remember your baby may outgrow the problem.
Takwimu za kawaida za mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa wa mgonjwa. Ingawa sababu ni ngumu na zimeunganishwa na sababu kadhaa, hali yenyewe sasa imegunduliwa vizuri: kiumbe huingia katika mawasiliano na dutu ambayo haitambui (au haitambui tena kama salama) na huamsha mfumo wake wa ulinzi ili kuondoa mvamizi. Ingawa kuna dalili nyingi tofauti, suluhisho ni kuondoa kiungo hicho kutoka kwa mlo wa mtoto wako na kuanzisha tena polepole baadaye. Hilo lapaswa kufanywa chini ya uangalizi wa mtaalamu wa lishe na mtaalamu wa mzio wa watoto. Hapa kuna majibu ya maswali muhimu ambayo huenda ukawa nayo kuhusu jambo hilo. Je, kunyonyesha kunasaidia kuzuia mzio wa chakula? Kwa ujumla, kunyonyesha kwa mama kunaweza kupunguza hatari ya kupatwa na mzio wa chakula. Katika familia zenye hatari kubwa na historia ya mzio (baba, mama, nk. Kwa wale ambao wana mzio wa protini za maziwa ya ng'ombe, kunyonyesha kunapendekezwa. Kwa kawaida, mtoto wako anapaswa kunyonyeshwa tu kwa mama katika maisha yake ya mapema. Kwa upande wa mfumo wa kinga, kunyonyesha kunamfanya mtoto wako awe na nguvu zaidi. Pia mfumo wa kumeng'enya chakula hukua kwa njia yenye matokeo zaidi. Ni muhimu kuanzisha chakula kigumu hatua kwa hatua wakati mtoto wako bado anaponywa. Dalili hizo za mzio husababisha nini? Kulingana na chakula kinachohusika, dalili za kuangalia zinaweza kujumuisha kutapika, kuhara, maumivu ya tumbo, kibofu, uvimbe mdogo wa midomo na ulimi, eczema, pumu na maambukizo ya sikio, pua na koo, bila kusahau usumbufu unaowezekana kwa kiwango cha ukuaji wa mtoto. Ni vyakula gani vinavyosababisha mzio? Kuanzia wakati wa kuanzishwa kwa chakula kigumu hadi umri wa miaka mitatu, vyakula vinne kuu vinavyosababisha mzio ni: mayai, gluten, karanga na protini za maziwa ya ng'ombe. Hisia za mzio wa mayai ndizo aina ya kawaida ya hisi za chakula katika watoto wa Australia. Ikiwa mtoto wako anaugua mzio wa mayai, kumbuka kwamba bidhaa nyingi za chakula hutengenezwa kwa kutumia viungo vyenye mayai - soma lebo na orodha ya viungo kwa uangalifu. Mtaalamu wa lishe anaweza kukusaidia kujifunza njia bora ya kusoma lebo ya chakula. Sikuzote mpe mtoto wako mayai yaliyopikwa. Gluten ni protini inayopatikana katika nafaka kama vile rye, oats, ngano (ikiwa ni pamoja na ngano ya mkate, spelt na kamut) na shayiri. Mara tu mtu anapogunduliwa kuwa na mzio wa gluten, ni lazima bidhaa zote zinazotokana na nafaka hizo ziondolewe katika chakula chake. Kwa hivyo, kabla ya utambuzi, inashauriwa kuanzisha gluten kutoka miezi sita, hata ikiwa kuna historia ya familia ya mzio. Kufanya hivyo, pamoja na ulinzi wa ziada wa kunyonyesha, inaweza kupunguza nafasi ya kuendeleza ugonjwa wa celiac na hii ni eneo la utafiti hai. Kama vile mayai na gluten, karanga zipo katika vyakula vingi visivyoundwa kwa ajili ya watoto. Ni juu yako kusoma lebo ili kugundua uwepo mdogo na kuepuka ikiwa mtoto wako ana mzio uliothibitishwa, vinginevyo, unaweza kuanzisha ladha ndogo za siagi ya karanga ya asili wakati wa kuanzisha vimeng'enya katika mwaka wa kwanza. Protini za maziwa ya ng'ombe Mzio wa protini za maziwa ya ng'ombe ni wa kawaida, hasa kwa watoto wachanga. Aina nyingine za viungo vinavyoweza kusababisha mzio: - Matunda yaliyokaushwa; - Matunda mengine ya miti (mchele, pistachios, almond, walnuts); - Matunda ya kitropiki (kiwi, mango); - Mbegu (poppy, sesame); - Protini zilizobadilishwa (protein ya soya, surimi); - Viongezeo vya chakula vilivyo na protini (α-amylase, carmine, casein, starch ya mboga); - Mboga (mboga, maharagwe, maharagwe, maharagwe); - Berries (mchele, raspberries); - Latex. • Kuoka matunda na mboga kwa uangalifu kabla ya kuifanya kuwa pure au compote, kwani kupika kunaweza kupunguza sifa zao za allergenic; Kuanzisha vyakula vipya moja kwa moja, ikiwezekana asubuhi, ili uwe mwangalifu kwa athari zozote mbaya wakati wa siku; Kuendelea kunyonyesha wakati wa kuanzisha vyakula vyenye nguvu. Ni nani anayeweza kugundua mzio? Kwa mfano, daktari wako wa watoto au daktari wa afya ya watoto anaweza kuagiza upimaji wa damu. Kisha inashauriwa kwamba umwone daktari wa mzio. Unaweza hata kupata madaktari wa mzio wa watoto wachanga. Je, mzio waweza kutibiwa? Kwa sasa hakuna tiba ya kitiba ya kuondoa mzio wa chakula. Hata hivyo, ni uwezekano kwamba mtoto wako atazidi allergy yao, hivyo daktari wako anaweza changamoto mtoto wako katika pointi maalum wakati wa kuangalia hii, chini ya usimamizi wa matibabu. Maziwa ya ng'ombe inaweza kuwa sababu ya mzio wa protini (casein au whey) zilizopatikana katika maziwa ya ng'ombe ambayo husababisha athari ya kinga na mfumo wa kinga au kutovumilia sukari katika maziwa (lactose), mara nyingi kutokana na kutokwa kwa lactase, enzyme ambayo huvunja lactose, katika matumbo. Idadi ya watu wanaosababisha mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe imeongezeka mara mbili katika miaka kumi iliyopita, na kuna sababu nyingi za mzio huo. Katika Australia na New Zealand, karibu asilimia 2 (1 katika 50) ya watoto ni mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe na bidhaa za maziwa. Ingawa watoto wengi hupona mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe kufikia umri wa miaka minne, mara kwa mara mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe unaweza kutokea. Hata hivyo, dalili za kuendelea katika watu wazima ni nadra sana. <unk> Australasian Society of Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Si rahisi kutambua aina hii ya mzio au kutovumilia kwani ishara hutofautiana na zinaweza kuchanganyikiwa na hali nyingine. Madhara ya mkojo: - Ugonjwa wa ngozi: kibofu, eczema, nyekundu au rangi nyeupe ya uso, edema (kuvimba); - Ugonjwa wa utumbo: regurgitation, kutapika, constipation, kuhara kwa muda mrefu (kwa watoto wachanga), maumivu ya tumbo (kwa watoto wadogo); - Ugonjwa wa kupumua: kikohozi, pumu, ugumu wa kupumua. Kwa mfano, ikiwa mtoto wako anaonekana na mtaalamu wa mzio wa watoto, mara nyingi formula ya protini iliyohifadhiwa sana itaagizwa. Hii mbadala wa maziwa ya ng'ombe ni iliyoundwa kwa ajili ya watoto wachanga (si kuwa kuchanganyikiwa na formula HA). Maziwa haya ya pekee hayana kiasi kidogo cha mafuta kuliko maziwa ya awali ya mtoto wako na yatasaidia kwa ufanisi katika ukuaji wake. Daktari wako ataamua mpango unaofaa zaidi wa kulisha mtoto wako. Dalili za kutoweza kuvumilia lactose ni pamoja na: - kuhara kwa haraka na kwa haraka, ambayo inaweza kuwa na umajimaji; - kuvimba na maumivu ya tumbo; - upepo mwingi; - kuvuja kwa diaper; Ili kuthibitisha tuhuma za mtaalamu wako wa huduma ya afya, mtoto wako anaweza kuombwa kufanya uchunguzi kamili wa mzio na mtaalamu. Mara nyingi vipimo hivyo havikuwa sahihi, na huenda ikawa afadhali kuondoa na kujaribu tena vyakula vinavyodhaniwa kuwa vyenye sumu. Kuna historia ya mzio katika familia yangu. Je, hilo ni jambo linalohusika? Mzazi au ndugu au dada anaweza kuwa na mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe bila mtoto mpya kurithi mzio huohuo. Hata hivyo, kiwango cha juu zaidi cha mzio wa chakula kimegunduliwa katika familia zilizo na historia ya mzio na kutovumilia. Ikiwa una historia ya familia ya mzio, unapaswa kumjulisha mtaalamu wako wa afya, kwani hii inaweza kuwasaidia kuamua njia bora ya kuzuia mzio kutokea kwa mtoto wako. Namna gani maziwa ya soya? Shirika la Australia la Immunolojia na Madhara (ASIA) linasema kuwa hakuna faida ya kumpa mtoto mchanga chakula cha soya ikiwa amegunduliwa kuwa na mzio wa protini ya maziwa ya ng'ombe. Ingawa mzio wa maziwa ya ng'ombe utafanya njia ya kumlisha mtoto wako iwe ngumu, mtaalamu wako wa mzio na mtaalamu wa huduma za afya wa kawaida wataweza kukushauri na kukusaidia katika maendeleo yake ya lishe. Kumbuka kwamba mtoto wako anaweza kukabiliana na tatizo hilo.