Bangkok--21 Jun--Bangkok Public Relations
Nestl? (Thai) Limited’s Infant Nutrition Business, today hosted a press seminar titled ‘Be An Allergy Detective’ to highlight the increasing incidence of infant and child allergies in Thailand and worldwide, and to educate mothers what they can do to help reduce the risk of their children developing allergies.
The event was attended by Mr. Andrew Scorey, Business Director of Infant Nutrition Indochina Region of Nestl? (Thai) Ltd. and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit Ngamphaiboon, Pediatric Allergist from Chulalongkorn Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics, as well as celebrity first-time mother Cindy-Siriya Burbridge who moderated the event.
Mr. Scorey said, “During the last 10 years, the number of children in Thailand developing allergies has more than tripled.”
He said that this was a notable trend because allergies at an early age can have an adverse impact on the development of children and their growth.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit said, “Checking one’s family history for allergies can help indicate the likelihood of one’s child developing allergies. This can help parents detect allergy symptoms earlier and take the right course of action promptly. However, studies show that even infants born to parents with no family history of allergies have a 15% chance of developing allergies.”
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit, “If one of the parents has a family history of allergies, the chance of a child developing allergies is about 20-40%. But if both parents have a family history of allergies, the chance of their children developing allergies can be 50-80%.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit said, “The most common environmental allergen is food. Children under the age of one can be particularly allergic to cow’s milk, and this is often overlooked by Thai parents or care-givers. Cow’s milk allergy symptom can involve in several systems e.g. respiratory system similar to allergic rhinitis or even asthma, including gastrointestinal tract, and skin .”
She said that one of the reasons why allergies among children are on the increase is because breastfeeding has become a less common practice, particularly among working mothers.
“Many studies have confirmed that exclusive breastfeeding, even if for only the first 6 months of life, can help reduce the risk of allergies in children,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit.
“During the first 6 months of life an infant’s gastrointestinal tract, immune system and enzyme are still in their early stages of development. Because of that, certain proteins from foods may be difficult to digest and can trigger an allergic reaction,” she said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit said that breast milk is hypoallergenic and does not stimulate allergy. Breastfeeding during the first 6 months helps infants to lower their exposure to foreign protein from cow’s milk and enhances their immune system with complete nutrition.
“However, if breastfeeding is not possible, hypoallergenic, or ‘H.A.’, infant formulas with 100% paritally hydrolysed whey protein with heat treatment and selective enzymatic hydrolysis is recommended because the formula has shorter protein strings which reduces allergy risks ” she said.
“Clinical trials have indicated that H.A. formulas can help reduce the risk of allergies among infants while maintaining the nutrients and good flavor found in standard infant formulas,” she noted.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jarungchit said that studies have also shown that bifidus (probiotic or healthy bacteria)— which are naturally present in breastmilk are also associated to help strengthen immunity and reduce allergic risk in infants.
Mr. Scorey said that Nestl? has developed an H.A. infant formula with 100% whey protein with a special hydrolysis process. Extensive independent research has shown that the formula can help minimise infant allergy risks. Additionally, it has bifidus BL added to help strengthen immunity and reduce allergic risk in infants.
For further information please contact
Nestle (Thai) Limited
Bongkod Paebunyong
Telephone 0-2265 8827
E-mail:
[email protected]
Bangkok Public Relations Ltd.
Chachadapa Vichitrananda or Panta Poonsapmanee at
Telephone 0-2664 9500, ext 111 or 116; Fax 0-2664 9515.