Cow's milk protein sensitivity is an allergic reaction to the proteins in cow's milk. It also affects infants who consume commercially available formulas that are based on cow's milk proteins. Cow's milk protein sensitivity is more common in infants, but most kids outgrow it by the time they turn 5-years-old. This condition is different from lactose intolerance, which is caused by a lack of the enzyme in the gut necessary to digest milk.
Causes
The cause of cow's milk protein sensitivity is related to a dysfunction in the immune system of infants. According to KidsHealth, in this condition the body sees the milk protein as foreign proteins that need to be fought off. The two proteins in milk that cause allergy or sensitivity are casein, which is found in the solid part of curdled milk, and whey, the liquid part of milk after it curdles. When an infant with sensitivity is exposed to milk proteins for the first time, her body develops IgE, which are immunoglobulins that help the body trigger an allergic reaction. The next time the infant is exposed to the milk proteins, the IgE activates the immune system to eliminate the protein, resulting in milk protein sensitivity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of milk protein sensitivity can develop within seconds or after a few hours of exposure to cow's milk. According to MayoClinic.com, symptoms of milk protein sensitivity include watery stools that may contain specks of blood, colic, coughing, chocking, spitting up milk and an itchy rash around the lips.
Complications
Rarely, infants with milk protein sensitivity can have an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening process during which swelling around the trachea can cause significant breathing difficulty and death. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis in an infant include facial flushing, low blood pressure, wheezing, cough and airway constriction.
Treatment
Mothers of breast-feeding infants with milk protein sensitivity need to restrict their intake of cow's milk, as the proteins can pass onto the breast milk. Formula-fed infants need special hypoallergenic formulas. According to KidsHealth, there are two types of hypoallergenic formulas: Formulas in which the milk proteins are broken down into smaller pieces to decrease the chance of an allergic reaction, and those in which the proteins are broken down into amino acids, the basic building blocks.
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