What proportion of toddlers suffer from milk allergy?
Cow’s milk protein allergy is more commonly found in infants and children, particularly when there is a family history of allergy. It occurs in 2-5% in children under the age of 3 years but its prevalence decreases with age. The most common symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea, although the range of adverse reactions can differ from one person to another. Fortunately, reactions to cow’s milk protein are generally short-lived and the incidence in older children and adults is much lower. Once a diagnosis of allergy to milk protein has been confirmed, it is important to ensure that a healthy balanced diet is maintained, especially during a child’s growth and development. Dietary advice from a registered dietitian is essential to ensure optimal intakes of essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamins A, D and B2 and B12. Lactose intolerance In reality, around 70 per cent of the world’s adult population do not produce enough lactase, and therefore has some degree of lactose intolera