Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy: Infantile insomnia symptom

INFANTILE INSOMNIA

Infantile insomnia is defined as a difficulty falling or staying asleep and is characterised differently during a child’s development.1

Poor sleep is common in infants. It is perfectly normal that newborns will not have full night of sleep before they reach 3 months of age.2

What causes insomnia in infants?

In older infants, Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) may cause infantile insomnia.1 In most cases, the causes of insomnia are environmental factors; however, in some cases sleep problems are due to an underlying medical condition.


Insomnia as a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

Infants with clinically evident CMPA may suffer from symptoms of insomnia. When no evident causes for chronic insomnia can be found in an infant, the possibility of a CMPA should be given serious consideration.3,4

insomnia

Signs and symptoms related to CMPA

The majority of infants affected with CMPA have at least two symptoms affecting at least two different organ systems.5,6

 

Having an awareness of the most common symptoms of CMPA can help you to make an earlier diagnosis of CMPA in your patients.

CoMiSS® awareness tool


The Cow’s Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS)® is a simple, fast and easy-to-use awareness tool designed to help you more easily recognise the signs and symptoms that can be cow’s milk-related in infants and young children.


CoMiSS® awareness tool is available in print and online version
If you suspect your patient is suffering from symptoms that may be suggestive of CMPA, use the CoMiSS® tool to score and assess the likelihood of CMPA.

OTHER SYMPTOMS OF COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY

References

1.    Nunes ML. and Cavalcante V. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2005;81(4):277–86

2.    Newborn-Sleep Patterns. Stanford Children’s Health http://www.stanfordchildrens.org (Accessed February 2016)

3.    Kahn A., et al. Sleep and Health Risk 458–67

4.    Kahn A ., et al. Pediatrics. 1985;76:6:880–4

5.    Lifschitz C. and Szajewska H. Eur J Pediatr. 2015;174:141–50

6.    Høst A. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 1994;5:1–36

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their babies have cow’s milk protein allergy. This usually requires qualified dietary counseling to completely exclude all sources of cow’s milk protein from the mothers’ diet. If a decision to use a special formula intended for infants is taken, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. Unboiled water, unboiled bottles or incorrect dilution can make babies ill. Incorrect storage, handling, preparation and feeding can eventually lead to adverse effects on the health of babies. Formula for special medical purposes intended for infants must be used under medical supervision.