Food Allergy, Food Intolerance And Multiple Food Intolerance

Food allergy and food intolerance
Food allergy is an adverse clinical reaction to food due to any type of abnormal immune response to food protein. Food intolerance is a reproducible adverse reaction to the ingestion of food or to any of it's components: proteins, carbohydrates, fats and additives. Such adverse reactions include metabolic reactions, enzyme deficiencies etc. In more than 50% of children with food allergy, adverse reactions to more than one food are seen. Children with allergy to several common food proteins like cow milk, egg and peanut are termed as having "oligo" food allergy.
Multiple Food Protein Intolerance
Multiple food protein intolerant (MFPI) infants are distinguished from "oligo" food allergic patients due to their intolerance of soy and extensively hydrolysed formula, in addition to a range of other food proteins. Infants with Multiple Food Protein Intolerance often come from families with an history of atopic dermatitis, a common symptom of food allergy. Multiple Food Protein Intolerance is also recognised to occur in breast-fed infants. Most infants with Multiple Food Protein Intolerance tolerate low-allergen foods such as grain, vegetables, fruits, and meats in the second year of life. Infants with multiple food protein intolerance are allergic to soy, extensively hydrolyzed formulae (eHF) and a wide range of other foods. They have complex nutritional problems and should be distinguished from those with sensitivity to common food proteins such as cow milk, egg and peanut but who tolerate eHF and soy.
Treatment of Multiple Food Protein Intolerance
A better prognosis is associated with an earlier diagnosis, predominant digestive symptoms and the absence of associated allergy to other foods. Therefore in infants with late diagnosed MFPI, dietary exclusions are often required up to 3 years of age. Infants with intolerance to extensively hydrolyzed formulae and soy can be safely and effectively treated with amino acid-based formulae.
More information on Act Against Allergy - For the treatment of Food Allergies
Act Against Allergy - For the treatment of Cow Milk Allergy is a global educational initiative with information and tools to know and increase the awareness of childhood cow milk allergy and other infant food allergies.