Rice protein is a new nutritional option for children with cow's milk allergies
FREQUENT CRYING, DIARRHEA, VOMITING, WEIGHT LOSS AND THE OCCURRENCE OF DERMATITIS ARE MANIFESTATIONS CAUSED BY APLV.
Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMLA) is the most common food allergy in infants, affecting between 2 and 3% of children under the age of 3. Lack of accurate diagnosis can increase the risks and, in extreme cases, even lead to death from anaphylaxis, which is the most serious reaction caused by an allergy to animal protein. In addition to ingesting milk, its derivatives, such as cheese, yogurt and juices, can also trigger this hypersensitivity.
According to pediatrician Dr. Fábio Ancona, who specializes in infant nutrition, the cause of APLV is not fully defined, since several factors can contribute to its onset. "Children's intestines are immature and early ingestion of cow's milk proteins can favor the onset of allergies," he warns. Genetic predisposition is another cause associated with the development of this food allergy.
RICE PROTEIN IS ONE OF THE RECOMMENDED OPTIONS
Excluding cow's milk and its derivatives from children's diets is the first step in treating APLV. Hydrolyzed protein and soy-based formulas are the most common dairy substitutes. However, hydrolyzed proteins have an unpleasant taste for children and are invariably rejected. As for soy, it is contraindicated by the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP) for the first six months of life, due to the possibility of interfering with the hormonal profile.
Food supplementation based on rice protein is one of the recommended approaches and is now available on the Brazilian market. "Rice-based infant formula is an excellent alternative in the fight against APLV, which still has no competitors in the country. Rice protein has a more pleasant taste and eliminates the risk of allergic reactions caused by milk. As a result, it provides the child with a better quality of life, proper development and an ideal supply of nutrients," says Dr. Fábio Ancona.
SYMPTOMS OF COW'S MILK ALLERGY
Cow's Milk Protein Allergy can cause symptoms in infants within two hours of contact with the animal protein, causing changes in the skin and mucous membrane of the mouth, which can be accompanied by respiratory and gastrointestinal manifestations. "Frequent crying, wheezing, difficult breathing, diarrhea, jet vomiting, weight loss and, in some cases, dermatitis are manifestations caused by APLV," says Dr. Ancona.