APLV: what is it and how is the disease of the daughter of Paula Chaves diagnosed

APLV, the disease suffered by the youngest daughter of Paula Chaves, is an allergy to cow's milk proteins. Although the driver stated that Filipa's diagnosis is not yet confirmed, she listed some symptoms that alerted her and led her to seek the opinion of specialists.

It is an "adverse reaction with the participation of the immune system directed against the protein component of the food", that is, it appears after the consumption of cow's milk in amounts usually tolerated by healthy subjects.

Because Chaves' daughter is breastfed, it is her mother who transfers the protein to her through her own milk. "I am on a strict diet to breastfeed Filipa and I need to know what I am consuming. I cannot consume milk or soy, but neither can I consume traces of milk or traces of soy. What does it mean? That any food that it was made in the same plant as a cheese cracker has cross-contamination and that affects my daughter, "explained the former host of Bake Off.

From the Argentina de Pediatría (SAP) they clarify that APLV is not the same as lactose intolerance, since the latter is not related to an immunological mechanism.

"CMPA is a usually transitory allergy", describes to LA NACION the specialist in allergy and immunology Esteban Garramone (MN 102657). As he specifies, this type of allergy "rarely persists into adult life."

The expert lists the symptoms associated with the disease: avoidance (the baby avoids food, both breast milk and formula); weight loss or no weight gain; Colic; diarrhea; vomiting; bloody stools; and reflux

In turn, he points out that in approximately 60% of cases it is accompanied by eczema or hives. Among the most extreme and very rare symptoms is anaphylaxis, which consists of a condition that includes hives, and also hypotension, abdominal cramps, bronchospasm, syncope, glottic edema or cardiovascular arrest. Another form of manifestation of the disease is colitis, which can occur with blood in the stool only or associated with pain.

If in doubt, it is important to consult a doctor to confirm the picture.

In case of signs of allergy, it is recommended to stop the intake of dairy foods, dairy products, with lactose or traces of these. And, in the case of a breastfed child, it is suggested that the mother follow a special diet that excludes dairy products containing cow's milk protein while breastfeeding. It is important that once the diagnosis is confirmed, the mother is advised to eat a balanced diet with calcium supplementation.

In Argentina, since November 2016, social and prepaid works are obliged to fully pay for medicated milk for consumption by those who suffer from APLV. However, one of the biggest concerns for families is that many manufactured products are not properly labeled.

In addition to not drinking milk and milk products, people who suffer from APLV should read the labels very carefully. Just because a food is labeled "not dairy" doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't contain milk. Even a "dairy-free" label can be misleading. In this sense, a bill for "Labeling, advertising, early detection and comprehensive treatment of allergy to cow's milk protein" was presented. If approved, all food products must have a visible label printed on the front of their containers with the legend "Suitable APLV".

It is also recommended to pay attention to cross-contamination whereby cutlery that has touched a milk derivative is later used in foods that do not contain milk proteins and ends up contaminating them.

According to an academic paper published by the SAP, this type of allergy is one of the most frequent reactions in the first months of life and its prevalence ranges between 2% and 7.5%. In addition, 95% of the boys who undergo a specific treatment for one or two years achieve tolerance after three years of age.