In the first years of our lives, our immune system can cause differentiation and control of our nutritional status.
The abnormal clinical response caused by food and nutritional additives through immune-dependent and non-immune-dependent mechanisms is called a "nutrient reaction". Response caused by immune-related mechanism; It is a food allergy.
Foods that are responsible for around 90% of food allergies in children are; milk, eggs, hazelnuts, nuts, soy and wheat. The foods responsible for the remaining 10% are seeds, sesame, seafood, fruits and vegetables.
Allergic reactions seen with fruits and vegetables are usually mild and temporary. The risk of developing allergy to another food in a child who is allergic to one food is 50-60%, and the risk of developing allergy to inhalant allergens before puberty is over 80%.
The risk of developing milk allergy after the age of three and after the age of 10 is over 80%. 80% of egg allergy is cured. Peanut allergy continues in 80% of those who were allergic to peanuts at the first age, and in all those who are still allergic to peanuts at the age of 5.
Diagnosing food allergy is difficult. Because it may also cause late-onset reactions. However, persistent or recurring symptoms, suspicion that it may be related to food, a family history of allergic disease, and the presence of different organ symptoms and findings raise suspicion.
In children; Symptoms suggestive of food allergy, especially in the first month:
Anaphylaxis, widespread allergic reaction or severe vomiting occurring within 1-2 hours after a new food.
Itching in and around the mouth when food is taken.
Vomiting or bloody diarrhea in the first months of life
Atopic dermatitis that occurs within the first year of life and does not respond to topical treatment
Continuous, severe colic in the first weeks of life
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Constipation that begins with the addition of ready-made formula
If we talk about the most common type of allergy, cow's milk allergy and the use of formula related to it:
It is the most common food allergy in infancy. In developed countries, the incidence rate in babies under 2 years of age is around 2%.
It occurs not only by giving direct cow's milk, but also by giving ready-made formula.
Allergic reaction. Zion; It starts within the first 4 weeks after starting the ready-made food. The majority of them recover before the age of 3.
The main principle in food allergy is to avoid the allergenic food.
The common point in the treatment of milk allergy is; It is important for babies to receive breast milk for as long as possible.
For babies who cannot receive breast milk, the recommended alternatives are amino acid-based formulas and fully hydrolyzed formulas.
Semi-hydrolyzed formulas are not suitable for treatment. About 10% of allergic babies who receive fully hydrolyzed formulas cannot tolerate these formulas.
This may be due in part to the allergenic properties of the large peptides left in the formula while preparing it. In this case, it is necessary to switch to amino acid based foods.
Another food group; They are soy based foods. However, there are risks of soy allergy and soy cross-reactivity with cow's milk. Additionally, the suitability of soy-based formulas for babies under 6 months is controversial. For this reason, soy-based formulas should not be the first choice, especially for babies under 6 months of age.
Hydrolyzed formulas can also be used by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. During breastfeeding, the mother eats hazelnuts, peanuts, etc., which have high antigenicity and clinically cause an increase in the baby's symptoms when consumed. It is necessary to stay away from foods.
As in all health problems, prevention is the leading approach in allergic diseases. The most important step in the management of food allergies is for those with food allergies to avoid the food(s) they are allergic to.
Cow's milk, eggs, wheat and soy are the foods that most commonly cause allergies. Patients who are allergic to these foods should be careful about the foods on the lists prepared for them. However, it should not be forgotten that nutritional contents must be examined before consumption.
The superiority of breast milk in terms of both nutrition and protection is indisputable. For this reason, when discussing cow's milk or alternative feedings, it is always evaluated according to breast milk.
A very large cohort study compared approximately exclusively breastfed and mixed-fed babies; It has been shown that the risk of eczema increases 9 times with normal cow's milk
Feeding with breast milk prevents the development of atopic disease. atopic h If eredite is present, this inhibitory property is more pronounced. If there is no or insufficient breast milk, fully hydrolyzed formula should be chosen. Non-hydrolyzed or less hydrolyzed foods are risky for atopy
In a study; It has been observed that the risk of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life is reduced by 50% in high-risk babies who are fed with formula containing fully hydrolyzed casein for the first 6 months. early diagnosis and correct treatment; These are the first steps to take for a healthy life.
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