My Research | Medical Booklets | Resources | Donate

   Table of Contents
  • Food Allergy and Intolerances
  • Symptoms of a Food Allergy
  • Common Food Allergies
  • Cross Reactivity
  • Differential Diagnoses
  • Diagnosis
  • Exercise-Induced Food Allergy
  • Food Allergy Treatment
  • Infants and Children
  • Controversial Issues
  • Controversial Diagnostic Techniques
  • Controversial Treatments
  • Summary
  • Keeping On Top of Your Condition
  • Resources
    		•      

    Infants and Children



    Search our Archive for the Latest News on Food Allergies

    Milk and soy allergies are particularly common in infants and young children. These allergies sometimes do not involve hives and asthma, but rather lead to colic, and perhaps blood in the stool or poor growth. Infants and children are thought to be particularly susceptible to this allergic syndrome because of the immaturity of their immune and digestive systems. Milk or soy allergies in infants can develop within days to months of birth. Sometimes there is a family history of allergies or feeding problems. The clinical picture is one of a very unhappy colicky child who may not sleep well at night. The doctor diagnoses food allergy partly by changing the child's diet. Rarely, food challenge is used.

    If the baby is on cow's milk, the doctor may suggest a change to soy formula or exclusive breast milk, if possible. If soy formula causes an allergic reaction, the baby may be placed on an elemental formula. These formulas are processed proteins (basically sugars and amino acids). There are few if any allergens within these materials. The doctor will sometimes prescribe corticosteroids to treat infants with severe food allergies. Fortunately, time usually heals this particular gastrointestinal disease. It tends to resolve within the first few years of life.

    Exclusive breast feeding (excluding all other foods) of infants for the first 6 to 12 months of life is often suggested to avoid milk or soy allergies from developing within that time frame. Such breast feeding often allows parents to avoid infant-feeding problems, especially if the parents are allergic (and the infant therefore is likely to be allergic). There are some children who are so sensitive to a certain food, however, that if the food is eaten by the mother, sufficient quantities enter the breast milk to cause a food reaction in the child. Mothers sometimes must themselves avoid eating those foods to which the baby is allergic.

    There is no conclusive evidence that breast feeding prevents the development of allergies later in life. It does, however, delay the onset of food allergies by delaying the infant's exposure to those foods that can prompt allergies, and it may avoid altogether those feeding problems seen in infants. By delaying the introduction of solid foods until the infant is 6 months old or older, parents can also prolong the child's allergy-free period.




    Home     Site Map     Terms of Use     Contact Us     Information Partners     Link to Us

    All information on this web site is for general knowledge only and is not intended to function as, or substitute, professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard, or delay in seeking, professional medical advice because of something you have read on or through this web site. Use of the CaringParents.org online service is subject to our Disclaimer.

      Copyright c 2003 CaringParents.org    All rights reserved.