Características clínicas e nutricionais de lactentes com APLV internados em uma maternidade

Abstract

Introduction: Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies affecting infants and young children. In Brazil, between 2009 and 2019, there was a 20% increase in prevalence rates. Diagnosing CMPA remains a clinical challenge due to the nonspecific nature of its symptoms. Understanding the affected population, along with the clinical and nutritional hospital management of these infants, is essential to ensure accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and improved quality of life for patients and their families. Objective: To characterize the population, clinical management, and nutritional hospital care of infants with suspected and/or confirmed CMPA in a maternity hospital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective study with a quantitative approach, conducted through the analysis of medical record data stored in the Nutrition Department database of the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School (MEAC). The study included infants hospitalized in neonatal units from January 2021 to January 2024 who were referred to the State CMPA Program. Results: The study included 43 infants, presenting a prevalence of 0.44%, predominantly preterm (74%) and male (72%). The main symptoms were blood in stools (63%), perianal dermatitis (26%), and regurgitation (23%). Before diagnosis, 61% consumed expressed human milk and 42% consumed preterm formulas. Of these, 53% were discharged on amino acid-based formulas. Most showed weight gain below expectations during hospitalization, and 37% maintained inadequate weight at discharge. Conclusion: The study revealed a prevalence of 0.44% for CMPA, with 0.15% confirmed cases, where the majority were on amino acid-based formulas and exhibited weight gain below recommendations at the time of hospital discharge, highlighting the need for more effective diagnostic protocols. The study also contributed to understanding the clinical and nutritional profile of CMPA, providing a basis for future research.