 News
20th November 2006
GPs confused over cow's milk allergy
The majority of family doctors are missing or wrongly treating cow's
milk allergy in babies.
A survey of 500 doctors published by medical taskforce Act
Against Allergy found that 4 out of 5 GPs failed to make a correct diagnosis,
while those that did wrongly advised on the allergy being treated by soy
based milk.
The Department of Health warns against routine use of soy
based infant formulas because of the high content of phytoestrogens which
could potentially cause reproductive problems in later life.
The survey also found that many doctors are wrongly diagnosing
the allergy with gastroenteritis or colic.
It is estimated that up to 10,000 children suffer from cow's
milk allergy which causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, wheezing
and rashes.
Dr Martin Brueton, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist
at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and UK spokesperson for Act Against
Allergy said that they plan to issue guidelines for identifying milk allergies
after 90 per cent of doctors said they wanted more help recognising the
problem.
He said, "As a profession we are not consistent in
how we approach and manage milk allergy - many doctors are confused about
the condition.
"Although cows' milk allergy often improves or resolves
over time, it causes small babies and their families a great deal of distress.
"Hence the need for early diagnosis and appropriate
treatment."
Where to next?
|
