regional level is not known with precision the prevalence of allergy to cow's milk. It is not known its global impact, which seems to be very variable. So say experts from the World Allergy Organization (WAO, according to its acronym in English) and other scientific institutions in a paper published in the journal Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
"This allergy is the result of an exaggerated and damaging the immune system to certain proteins in cow's milk. Your symptoms may be gastrointestinal reactions in the skin, or respiratory tract (respiratory symptoms). are given rare cases where a severe allergy to this type causes anaphylaxis is a generalized reaction of the immune system can become serious, "said the Agency CyTA a member of the panel of experts convened by WAO, Argentina Dr. Carlos E. Baena-Cagnani, who serves as academic director of the Center for Research in Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Cordoba. He added: "determine the prevalence of this type of allergy that affects children in the first years of life-usually to four years, " is one of the challenges we face today."
According to Baena-Cagnani children can have two kinds of unwanted adverse reactions following the ingestion of cow's milk, one is the intolerance and other allergies. Many times the symptoms are confused, but what is the difference? "The difference is that intolerance is not immune mechanisms involved. A well-known case is the lack of lactase. In this case the children lack the enzyme that aids digestion of lactose, a sugar found in milk. In contrast, allergy response is a defense system turns against the body, "answered specialist who also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD, according to its acronym in English) the World Health Organization.
Allergy underdiagnosed
missing While epidemiological studies on allergy to cow's milk, Baena-Cagnani noted that clinical evidence in several countries shows that "there are many instances of misdiagnosis allergy to cow's milk in a two ways. Sometimes intolerance to cow's milk allergy is mistaken and vice versa. This will indicate treatment error. "
addition, the specialist said that currently there is milk in the market that are alternatives to cow's milk. "These products do not contain proteins that can trigger allergies (cow's milk contains about 20 proteins potentially sensitizing and alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin and bovine serum, etc.). Thus, children allergic to cow's milk can continue to have a proper diet and nutrition, "said Baena-Cagnani . He added: "These diagnoses generated errors that many patients are subjected to enormous sacrifices diets that can produce a nutritional imbalance unnecessarily."
effective Diagnostics
In another article published in the scientific journal Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology, describes a guide for pediatricians, including recommendations for effective diagnosis of allergy to cow's milk produced by a team of immunologists, for allergists, pediatricians, gastroenterologists Pediatricians and nutritionists, and other specialists, convened by the World Allergy Organization which Dr. Baena-Cagnani has been president.
"This guide is called DRAM and is based on relevant available evidence. The first thing to do is a thorough history of the patient. Are also crucial supplementary studies. One of these tests is the determination of specific antibodies against cow's milk allergic patients. This antibody IgE class are frequently associated with allergic reactions and can be detected in laboratory analysis of just one drop of blood. This tool provides not only if you are allergic to cow's milk but which components of milk from the cow, "said Dr. Baena-Cagnani who also participated in the drafting of these guidelines agreed at a meeting of the World Allergy Organization, held in Milan, Italy late last year.
also recommended studies of the skin, allergens, and finally the oral challenge test. "This latter method, known as the gold standard, to confirm with certainty whether the patient is allergic to cow's milk," said Baena-Cagnani . Once diagnosed with this type of allergy, The first step is to stop drinking cow's milk intake indicated substitute cow's milk do not contain proteins that trigger the reaction, said the specialist. He said that this allergy is usually self-limiting, ie "is an allergy that starts to wane as children grow older and often appear after other allergies like rhinitis and asthma. This is what is called allergy march. "
" Sometimes reactions in children are of such intensity that parents find a direct cause and effect between her milk and symptoms. In this sense the family is the one that begins by giving items support for the analysis of pediatricians. It is important that society is well informed on this health issue and that pediatricians are prepared to make an effective diagnosis, Baena-Cagnani concluded.
According to the World Allergy Organization is unknown what the prevalence of allergy to cow's milk both regionally and globally.
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