Child Can't Drink Cow's Milk?
When Your Child Can't Drink Cow's Milk
Many children love drinking cow's milk and why not? It's delicious, additionally milk is a good source of essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, protein and vitamin A, D and B (B12, niacin and riboflavin).
However not every child are able to drink cow's milk. For some, cow's milk might trigger an allergic reaction. Such children are said to have cow's protein allergy (CMPA). If your child is one of them, here are some things you should know about CMPA.
1. It's an allergy, not to be confused with lactose intolerance.
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CMPA
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LACTOSE INTOLERENCE
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It’s an immune
reaction to cow’s milk protein.
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It’s cause by reduced
ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk.
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Symptom usually affects
the digestive system as well as the skin and respiratory system.
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Only affects the
digestive system. Symptom typically include pain, flatulence, and diarrhea.
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Symptom may take four
to six weeks to improve.
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Symptoms usually
improve on their own after 48 hours of not ingesting any milk and daily
product.
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2. There are some CMPA symptoms that you watch out for.
Symptoms may vary among different children with CMPA, but there are some of the more common ones that can occur after a child has ingested cow's milk.
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Gatrointestinal
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Respiratory
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Dermatological
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Vomiting
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Wheezing
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Eczema
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Reflux
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Sore throat
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Rashes
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Stomach pain
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Persistent
runny nose and / or eyes
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Hives
(Urticaria)
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Diarrhoea
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Persistent cought
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Contact dermatitis
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Constipation
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Oral
irritation (itchy mouth, excessive dribble)
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Swelling
of the eye lips or the whole face or localised swellings (angioedema)
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Flatulence
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Asthma attack
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- Most children with CMPA also develop eczema, a condition in which your child's skin becomes inflamed, reddened and itchy. About 25% of these children also develop allergies to other types of foods.
- Cow's milk provides essential nutrient for a child's optimal growth. Children diagnosed with CMPA might be nutritionally at risk due to dietary restriction on food contains cow's milk.
Therefore, if you suspect that your child has CMPA, it is best to bring your child to healthcare professional. He or she will conduct some tests (such as skin prick test and oral food challenge) to determine whether your suspicious is correct.
4. Eliminating cow's milk is currently the only way to keep a child with CMPA from experiencing allergy symptoms.
Managing CMPA will require regular follow-ups with your child's pediatrician and dietitian. Your child's healthcare professional thinks it may be necessary for your child to avoid cow's milk, and should this occur, nutritious alternatives to milk can be considered to support your child's growth and development.
This is important to arrange for regular follow-up, as food challenge tests can then be carried out to determine whether your child still needs this dietary restriction. Do not make any changes to your child's diet or resume giving cow's milk unless the doctor determines that it is fine to do so.
5. Don't worry if your child cannot drink cow's milk - Soy-based formula is an alternative.
For growing up children with CMPA, the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology and the Malaysian Pediatric Association in their Guidelines for the Management of Children with Cow's Milk Protein Allergy highlighted soy-based formula as an alternative to cow's milk provided individual tolerance has been established.
They also point out that soy-based formula is also advised for children with lactose intolerance and galactosaemia (a condition in which the body is unable to digest galactose, another sugar found in milk) as well as vegans and vegetarians.
you can discuss with your child's doctor further on whether soy-based formula will meet your child's nutritional needs and support his or her growth and development.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Check food label before you buy. Look for labels such as "Dairy Free" - these will tell you that the food very likely contains no cow's milk. Also check the ingredient list. Watch out not only for "cow's milk" - ingredients such as butter, casein, cheese, cream, ghee, milk protein or whey hydrolysates, yogurt and whey strongly suggest that the food contains cow's milk. If in doubt, put it back on the shelf or get the advise from pharmacies.
When eating out, always ask whether the dish contains cow's milk before you order for your child. Sometimes the chef may include butter, cream and other ingredients that contain cow's milk.
Don't know where to find Soy-based powder milk for your baby or 1 years old above? You can get it at Pantai Hillpark Pharmacy by walk in or you can direct whatsapp us by click "I want Soy milk powder" and talk to our team.
Here are type of Soy-based milk powder that we keep in Pantai Hillpark Pharmacy.
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| Isomil for 0-12 month |
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| Isomil 1-10 Years old |
ATTENTION!!
Please do refer to your doctor or pharmacist for further consultation.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Editor : Marketing / Advertising (Shakila)
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