This intolerance is commonly found in several ethnic groups, including blacks, American Indians, Mexican-Americans, and Orientals. For infants, the substitution of formulas that do not contain lactose, such as soybean formula, will relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance. Children and pregnant women should take a calcium supplement if they consume only small amounts of milk products. A milk allergy is a reaction caused by hypersensitivity to the protein found in milk. This allergy may occur more frequently in infants than in older children and adults, and can frequently cause an allergic reaction.
Milk allergy is treated with a diet using soybean or meat-based formulas that contain no milk.
Commercially available soybean formulas vary considerably in mineral content, and deficiencies of both vitamin A and thiamine have been reported in infants consuming these formulas. Ask your doctor about vitamin supplements for your child. Some children who are allergic to milk in one form may be able to use milk that has been boiled, evaporated or dried, because these processes change the protein. Milk is an important source of calcium, protein, vitamins A and D, and riboflavin. Foods rich in these nutrients should be selected when milk has been excluded from the child's diet.