FEEDING INFANTS WITH COW’S MILK AND SOY ALLERGY: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF EFFICACY

Allergy to cow’s milk protein and/or soy is common among allergic diseases in infants. They appear at an early infant stage and remain important in clinical practice from one up to three years. According to clinical research, cow’s milk allergy affects about 1.9–4.9% of babies and infants, respectively, and in addition some of them also suffer from soy protein allergy. Dietary prevention of allergic protein by its elimination in food is a significant part of treatment, and allows adequate development of babies and restricts the risk of progressive allergic diseases. Securing exclusive breastfeeding is one of the basic principles in successful therapy treatment. However, there are cases when breastfeeding does not prevent the development of cross milk protein allergy. Only adequate special feeding formulas can provide both energy needs and sufficient quantity of proteins (8.9–11.5%) in food when breastfeeding is not possible. Knowledge of effective compensation mechanisms become apparent by analysing the situation in Europe and USA in the area of different available feeding formulas using both the medical insurance system and randomised formula providing tolerance of the mixture at about 90–95%. The goal of research was to determine the correlation between the availability of a special mixture, parental adherence and treatment outcomes. Applying special formulas is a routine part of treatment, and there is no doubt about its efficacy. No compensation mechanisms exist in present-day Latvia, and the current complicated economic situation in Latvia reduces the ability of parents to choose and buy appropriate formula food. Therefore, a substantial part of therapy treatment is unavailable to infants. Dietary prevention of allergic diseases in infants and small children in Latvia needs special consideration also because of poor knowledge of parents regarding the real situation.