Food allergy in infants

The article was consulted with Specialist II Chung Thi Mong Thuy - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatal, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Food allergies have a high prevalence in children, especially in infants and young children. Because the immune system and intestinal tract of children are still weak at this time, the permeability of the gastrointestinal mucosa is high. Therefore, when exposing children to new foods with high allergen, the child's reaction is likely to develop into an allergy.

A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to normally harmless proteins (allergens) in a particular food. When an allergic baby eats this food, the child's body will produce antibodies that react to these foreign allergens and cause illness in the child.
Nearly 8% of children in the United States have at least one infant food allergy. Allergic reactions can be immediate or delayed, lasting over a period of time.

If your baby has an allergic reaction to something he or she eats, symptoms may appear within minutes or develop hours or days later. Most babies with food allergies have a mild reaction. If your baby has a severe allergy, the symptoms are often rapid and severe.
2.1 Mild allergic reaction Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction to food include:
Itching, watery eyes Itching of the mouth, nose and/or ears Itchy skin, red patches or rash Redness around the mouth or eyes Cough Dryness Runny or stuffy nose Black Stomach Abdominal pain Diarrhea Vomiting If you notice any of these symptoms within minutes or hours of your baby eating a new food, call your doctor right away for advice .

2.2 Severe allergic reactions A severe food allergy is called anaphylaxis . can be life-threatening.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number right away:
Wheezing Difficulty breathing Swelling of the face (including lips or tongue) progresses fast

3.1. Discontinue suspected allergenic foods immediately. 3.2. Supportive medicine: If the child has a mild allergy, the doctor can give adjunctive treatment with an antihistamine. If the allergy is severe, the child will need to be hospitalized for injectable epinephrine. Make sure everyone who cares for your baby, such as babysitters, relatives, babysitters, knows about allergies and what they shouldn't feed your baby. Give them specific instructions on exactly what to do if a child has an allergic reaction.

Eight “highly allergenic” foods that account for 90% of food allergies have been classified by the US FDA:
Cow's milk Caviar (such as tuna, salmon, and cod) Hai peanuts Shellfish such as lobster, shrimp and crab Soybeans Tree nuts (such as walnuts, Brazil nuts and cashews) Wheat.

High risk factors for food allergies include:
Genetic factors: having a parent or sibling with food allergies and any other type of allergy, including allergic asthma and eczema , have a sibling with a peanut allergy Have had anaphylaxis to a new food before Have been diagnosed or previously tested positive for a food allergy If your baby is at high risk for an allergy For food allergies, talk to your doctor or allergist before starting solids or introducing new foods to your baby. Some babies may need extra care and a customized feeding plan.

The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology recommends introducing your baby to commonly allergenic foods between 4 and 6 months of age as long as:
Your baby is growing ready for solid foods . Your child has tried a few traditional foods first and hasn't had any allergic reactions. Exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 3 to 4 months reduces the risk of allergies in the first two years of life.

You can determine your child's allergy through allergen tests at the hospital..
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to you. Customers and are highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading doctors and nurses in Pediatrics: including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, etc.) Doctor, Master), rich experience, worked in big hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. For more information, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec health system nationwide.

Reference source: babycenter.com