Cows Milk Allergy and Nutrition: evening symposium, Kettering Park Hotel, 1 July 2012

Article Type: Conference reports From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 42, Issue 6

Cows milk allergies and intolerances are relatively common. Some of the cows milk allergies are properly diagnosed and others are not but are due to parent choice and self-diagnosis.

Throughout the event, it was emphasised that it must be remembered the gold standard for infant feeding is breast milk.

Management of cow’s milk allergy by Dr Bilolikar

The meeting included a presentation on the management of cows milk allergy by Dr Bilolikar who discussed the different types of food hypersensitivity and the role of the immune system.

The audience was mainly GPs and a number of case histories were discussed.

One was due to lactose intolerance and others due to milk protein allergies.

Approaches to the diagnosis were discussed and the difference between IgE and non-IgE-mediated reactions discussed.

The presentation ended with a brief discussion of probiotics and their role in preventing food intolerances.

Tanya Wright discussed “The dietitians role in managing milk protein allergy”

Tanya is an NHS Allergy Specialist Dietician, she is author of books including Living with a Severe Food Allergy.

She gave lots of practical examples including of foods containing milk and ones which did not and the confusion that can ensue.

Milk substitutes especially the amino acid-based formulae were discussed. These were emphasised as being important in feeding many children with allergies to milk proteins.

Recipes were detailed and how to use products and how to support and monitor families with allergies.

Both speakers mentioned NICE food allergy in children and young people as a key reference.