[Management and prevention of cow's milk protein allergy: Contribution of community pharmacists]

Abstract

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a public health issue in children whose quality of life is strongly affected. The objective of this article is to review the present state of knowledge on the CMPA, and highlight some emerging alternatives in its management and in its prevention. Good knowledge in the appropriate infant formula, exclusion diets, the handling of the emergency treatment thanks to the use of epinephrine auto-injector pens, the use of personalized care project and accessibility to allergic patients' association are factors that secure the management. Breastfeeding and appropriate dietary diversification are for their part major preventive measures. The use of probiotics and desensitization immunotherapy are interesting emerging tracks. The role of community pharmacists in all these steps is discussed. It is indeed a nearby health professional involved both in improving prevention and in the optimization of the management. Its educational posture is crucial in assisting patients to help them better understand the CMPA and its treatment; as part of its new tasks, he can be integrated into therapeutic education programs to help allergic children and their families in a multidisciplinary context to better manage their daily life.

Keywords: Allergie alimentaire chez le nourrisson; Allergie aux protéines du lait de vache; Children's food allergy; Conseil à l’officine; Counseling; Cow's milk allergy; Cow's milk protein intolerance; Intolérance aux protéines du lait; Patient education; Éducation du patient.