Clinical and nutritional profile of children with cow’s milk protein allergy

Abstract

Objective: this study aimed to identify the main clinical and nutritional characteristics presented by children with cow’s milk protein allergy. Method: this was an observational, cross-sectional, quantitative and correlational study, with a convenience sample, consisting of 22 children diagnosed with allergy in different stages, aged between six months and six years, seen at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of the Triângulo Mineiro. Results: eutrophy was evident in 81.8% of the children, overweight risk in 4.5%, overweight in 9.1%, and obesity in 4.5%. None of the patients presented a nutritional diagnosis of thinness. Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, and bloody stools) were the most frequent in the evaluated patients. All patients (100%) with allergy in remission and allergy resolved showed a normal serum ferritin level, but 14.3% of the children in active allergy were below the recommended level for their age. The children had early weaning from breast milk, complementary feeding within what is indicated and the use of correct infant formulas to achieve the nutritional recommendations for age. Conclusion: the findings indicate that the clinical and nutritional profile of children with allergy is as expected with regard to the choice of formulas and the children’s development.