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Milk allergy is one of the top food allergies among children in the Philippines. The most common form is cow’s milk allergy which is due to the abnormal reaction of the immune system against proteins in cow’s milk. It appears in infancy and early childhood within the first 12 months of life and gradually resolves with age. The onset of symptoms occurs within minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. Symptoms include:
● Skin: Rashes, Swelling, Redness
● Respiratory: Throat tightness, Difficulty breathing, Coughing, Wheezing
● Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea
● Cardiovascular: Dizziness, Confusion, Hypotension
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Food allergies during the first 1000 days have critical nutritional implications such as nutrient deficiencies especially in cases of milk allergy among infants and children. However, food allergies can be prevented through dietary interventions and lifestyle strategies from the start of pregnancy to decrease the risk of children developing allergies. Based on the Philippine Guidelines on Dietary primary prevention of allergic diseases in children, here are some of the evidence-based recommendations on how to prevent allergic diseases during the first 1000 days:
1. Mothers should not avoid allergenic foods during pregnancy to prevent allergy in the child. Unless the mother is truly diagnosed with a food allergy, there is no need for food avoidance for an otherwise healthy pregnant woman. Recent studies have challenged the older prevention strategy of avoiding allergenic foods such as milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, wheat, soy and seafood because new studies have shown that eating these foods in pregnancy could help the infant tolerate these food items and help protect against atopic dermatitis or asthma in the first 18 months of infancy. Moreover, dietary restriction during pregnancy may lead to nutritional deficiencies which can affect the developing fetus.
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An infant who is born with a weight of less than 2,500 grams or 2.5 kilos is considered a Low Birth Weight (LBW) Infant. As of 2015, around 14.6 % of babies born globally suffer from low birth weight. In the Philippines, the rate is 20.1 %, which is higher relative to the average global data according to the UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates of 2019.
What are their health risks in future life?
In early childhood, LBW infants are more likely not able to survive in their first month of life, have stunted growth and lower IQ which may affect their school performance [2]. They also have 1.5 times risk of infectious diseases during infancy and childhood. In terms of long-term health risks, female LBW infants have 4 times greater chance of developing Hypertension in adulthood. A 2020 review and meta-analysis has shown the association of LBW with the development of Metabolic syndrome, Cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in adulthood.
Read more: Future Health Implications of having a Low-Birth-Weight Infant
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Adverse food reactions are abnormal reactions of the body to food either via ingestion, contact or inhalation of food substances. It is divided into two types: Food allergy and Food intolerance. It is important to differentiate between the two types because their dietary and medical interventions vary. Here are some simple ways of determining whether you are having a food allergy or food intolerance.
Food allergy is due to the abnormal reaction of the immune system against substances or proteins in foods, referred to as allergens. Common food allergens are usually found in the “Big 8” which are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat and soy. Allergies usually results to abnormal physical response towards food either by ingestion, contact or inhalation, such as itchiness, rashes, anaphylaxis or difficulty of breathing related to an allergic reaction, swelling, redness, diarrhea. Symptoms occur within minutes to 2 hours (immediate reaction) up to 48 hours (delayed reaction) after exposure to the food. Examples of food allergies are:
Read more: Adverse Food Reactions: Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
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Executive Order 51 also known as the “National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplements and Other Related Products” aims to protect and promote breastfeeding and to ensure that breast milk substitutes and supplements are properly used with adequate information, marketing and distribution. In the past year, there had been reported cases of violation of this order such as distribution of infant formula milk in “ayuda” packages, relief goods or as donations in calamity-stricken areas. The improper use of these infant formula milks with unclean water during calamities imposes greater health risks for the infant such as diarrhea and food poisoning - thus breastmilk is still the number one nutrition that they need even in times of calamity.
EO 51 applies to the marketing, and practices related to breastmilk substitutes such as “infant formula, milk products, foods and beverages, including bottle-fed complementary foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or without modification, for use as a partial or total replacement of breastmilk; feeding bottles and teats. It also applies to their quality and availability, and to information concerning their use”. Awareness of the provisions of this order can help us identify violators and to protect breastfeeding by looking into the following criteria based on Section 6:
Read more: Things You Should Know About EO 51 or the Milk Code
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During pregnancy, most of the nutritional demands are for the normal growth and development of the fetus. After birth, the mother still has increased needs to replenish her nutrient stores from blood loss during childbirth and for faster recovery and healing from giving birth. As she starts to breastfeed, her body will continuously manufacture breastmilk from the mother’s fat stores and the nutrient quality of the breast milk will depend on the quality of her diet.
