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Symptoms of a protein defect in an infant appear already in the first year of a child’s life. During this period of his life, his immune system is not yet fully mature. It is the most common type of allergy that occurs in infancy. Unfortunately, as soon as symptoms of protein diathesis appear, protein should be eliminated from the infant’s diet.
Protein flaw affects about 5-9% of all infants. Most symptoms of diathesis begin before the age of 3. Prevention of protein blemish in babies is the only way to avoid unpleasant ailments. However, protein flaw is more often diagnosed in bottle-fed babies, so it’s important that your baby is breastfed for the first months of life.
Protein blemish – symptoms
The symptoms of protein blemish are mainly skin changes. In young children, the skin becomes red and dry. First, the changes associated with protein blemish appear on the cheeks, and then with age, they also spread to the arms, legs and torso. The skin feels tight and shiny. Sometimes itchy spots also appear on it.
Symptoms of protein diathesis in infants are:
- abdominal pain and colic;
- irritability;
- blood and mucus in the stool;
- diarrhea;
- nausea and vomiting;
- constipation;
- cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, or watery eyes.
Infants with a protein blemish are more likely to develop ear and urinary tract infections. In addition, the child is gaining weight less and is smaller. Sometimes there is an anaphylactic shock that is life-threatening to the infant.
Protein flaw – causes
The causes of protein diathesis in infants are often genetic and environmental factors. Responsible for it, for example, intolerance to the protein of cow’s milk. In addition, infants’ protein diathesis is also caused by intolerances to other animal and plant proteins. These are proteins contained, for example:
- in fish;
- w soi;
- in veal and beef;
- nuts.
Protein diathesis in infants – breastfeeding
Protein diathesis in a breastfed infant is possible. This means that the mother should remove the ingredients that cause protein blemishes from her diet. Products that need to be eliminated include:
- cow’s milk and dairy products (yoghurts, kefirs, butter, cheese);
- meat and beef sausages.
It is also worth paying attention to the composition of the products, because cow’s milk protein is a component of many products, e.g. sausages, pates, sweets and even medicines. If the symptoms of protein diathesis persist in the infant, further products that may cause allergies should be excluded. It is best to go to a dietitian who will arrange a wholesome diet for both the mother and the baby.
Protein diathesis in infants – treatment
The only treatment for protein diathesis in infants is through an elimination diet. However, it is important to arrange the diet together with a dietitian so that the menu is wholesome and safe for the child.
Protein flaw sometimes requires the administration of antihistamines and steroid ointments. It is also important to properly care for the skin, avoid detergents and natural materials that do not irritate the skin.
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