MSc. Nutrition Nguyen Thi Huyen, Department of Nutrition - 108 Central Military Hospital, said that cow's milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy in children. Fortunately, most children will get rid of cow's milk allergy when they grow up.
cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in young children, especially in the early stages of life. Unlike lactose intolerance - a condition of lack of lactose digestive enzymes - cow's milk allergy is a reaction of the immune system to the protein in milk, causing a series of symptoms affecting the health of children.
MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen points out signs of recognizing cow's milk allergy in children: cow's milk allergy can manifest to many levels, from mild to moderate, with common symptoms such as swelling of lips, face, eyes; Rift, rash on the skin; Feeling numb, itchy in the mouth; Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. These symptoms may appear simultaneously, immediately after the child consumes milk or cow's milk products. To determine the exact cause, the doctor will prescribe an allergy test and test the food under medical monitoring.
MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen suggests that the only treatment is to completely eliminate cow's milk and foods containing protein from cow's milk from the children's diet. This includes avoiding goat and cow's milk - which contain similar proteins. Carefully reading food labels is a key factor in preventing allergic reactions.
Foods to avoid: A2 milk, avocado, cheese, condensed milk, ice cream, yogurt, whey, casein, regular formula milk, probiotic drinks, products containing dairy solids.
Choosing to replace cow's milk with age
0-6 month: Use a specialized formula prescribed by a doctor, such as cow's milk (Alfare, Pepti Junior) or amino acid milk (Alfamino, Neocate).
Children 6-12 months: Soy milk can be used if tolerated well. Avoid using lactose-free milk, A2 milk, HA milk.
Children over 1-2 years old: Soy milk is the priority choice. Other plant milks such as rice milk and oat milk should only be used according to nutritional advice, ensuring adequate 120mg of calcium/100ml.
Important note:
A2 milk contains only beta-casein A2, which is easier to digest but can still cause allergies. HA (Hypoallergenic) milk is hydrolysed with protein to reduce the risk of allergies, but is not suitable for children with cow's milk allergy.
Although cow's milk allergy is complicated, it can be completely controlled if detected early and with the right diet. Consulting experts is a necessary step to protect children's health and development.
