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Learn more about how Cow Milk Allergy (CMA) is diagnosed and the steps to take after.
Cow Milk Allergy (CMA) is a common food-allergy affecting infants and children. CMA most often occurs in the first 2 months of life and prevalence peaks before the child’s first birthday. Symptoms can be hard to pinpoint due to their similarity with other common infant health issues.
Most doctors will begin by eliminating cow milk from the infant’s diet by switching formulas or by altering the mother’s diet during breastfeeding. A food elimination trial may be followed by re-introduction of cow milk to check if the symptoms reappear or worsen, in which case CMA is confirmed. Depending on the case, additional tests may be done, including blood tests and skin prick tests.
CMA may persist in as many as 50% of children at 1 year of age, with over 20% remaining allergic after 3 years of age; some have symptoms persisting into their early teenage years.
Infants and children that have CMA require a cow milk free diet that will not trigger a reaction. If the infant is breastfed, the mother should talk with her healthcare team about the need to eliminate milk and dairy from her diet. If breastfeeding is not possible or adequate, a hypoallergenic formula is required. Neocate® products are hypoallergenic and specially made to help in the dietary management of infants and children with CMA. The formula contains free amino acids, the building blocks of protein, which do not trigger a reaction like whey and casein do.
Possible trigger foods, including cow milk, are removed from the child’s diet to find out if the signs and symptoms improve or resolve. For example, the mother could be asked to continue breastfeeding while eliminating suspected trigger foods from her diet or to change her baby’s formula.
A small amount of the suspected food allergen is fed to the child in a safe location such as the doctor’s office. The food challenge may be open in which case the doctor and/or guardian are aware of which food is given – or blinded if the food given is unknown.
In some cases, a blood test is used to see if the allergy signs and symptoms might be food related. The blood is used to see how the immune system reacts to a specific food.
A skin prick test is used to see if the allergy signs and symptoms might be allergen related. The skin is lightly pricked, then a small amount of allergen is placed under the skin in a close contact with the immune system which speeds up the reaction time.
If you suspect your child has CMA, consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. Do not change anything in your child’s diet without medical supervision. Ask your doctor if Neocate® is right for your child.
Neocate® is a family of hypoallergenic, amino acid-based specialized formulas for use under medical supervision and is indicated for cow milk allergy, multiple food allergies and related GI and allergic conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider about product recommendations.
Neocate Nutra is suitable for use in children and infants older than 6 months of age (not suitable as sole source of nutrition). Neocate Nutra is not intended for bottle or tube feeding.
I was so thankful for sticking with the Neocate. He was drinking more than ever, was happy as could be and all the blood in the stool had Improved! He is now about to turn one and continues to do so great!*
*Individual results may vary.
**A patient’s story from the US
**Ryder’s Mom is an employee at Nutricia North America
Reagan was always fussy when she ate, however the doctors brushed it off because she was still gaining weight. She would cry throughout the day and up to 6 hours every evening. I was desperate! Within a few days of using Neocate, her colic improved. I was finally able to enjoy her and bond with her and regained my confidence.*
*Individual results may vary.
**A patient’s story from the US
**Reagan’s Mom is an employee at Nutricia North America
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