This week I realised that we are fast approaching the 1 year land mark birthday. Where did that year go? He has completely uncurled. The baby stage is gone. He is shuffling on his bottom from room to room, exploring the world. Fighting for his toys, demanding his sibling toys and full of cuddles and kisses.

But in the background he lives with allergies, where his body doesnt like dairy, egg, soya, tree nuts and some fruits. The MMR vaccine concerns me as evidence in literature shows there is a trace of egg protein. Some reseach states the vaccine is cultured in egg but the egg trace is so low it is safe in the use of children with egg allergies.

Professor John Warner, Chair of the BSACI Paediatric Allergy Group and Professor of Paediatrics at St. Marys Hospital, London said "Egg-allergic children who have not had problems with other vaccinations can safely be given the MMR in primary care. Specialist asssessment is only required if any previous vaccinations have resulted in severe allergic reation (including any breathing problems or collapse)" http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/royal-college-of-physicians/article/rcp-new-recommendations-for-mmr-vaccine-in-egg-allergic-chil
In addition the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guideines for the management of egg allergy agrees that all children with egg allergies should receive the MMR. They explain that large number of studies of egg-allergic children show there is no increased risk of severe allergic reactions to the vaccines. Children who have documented anaphylaxis to the vaccine itsself should be assessed by an allergist. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03557.x/pdf

So I understand why my allergist is not concerned about Thomas recieving the MMR in primary care.

On http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Measles-Mumps-and-Rubella-%28MMR%29-Immunisation.htm it advices that if a child is allergic to egg. Immunisation under supervision by a paediatrician is advisable.

So what if he does react? What then? These are factors I have to consider in my decision making process
1. The closest A&E is 1 hour in ambulance
2. Majority of ambulance technicians are not paramedics.
3. Primary Care is not set up for such emergencies.
4. Very importantly the GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas.
5. Experienced mothers to egg allergic children say that even though their children did not react to the MMR they would have certainly considered paederiatic supervision if they were aware that there is a trace of egg in the MMR.
6. A medical colleague suggested single dose of the MMR.

Even though the research is clear that the MMR is safe to administer to egg allergic children. I have to consider the huge flashing factor here is my GP is not happy to administer the MMR to Thomas. My instinct tells me to take all precautions and go with the safe, security of the hospital environment.

On the introduction of this blog I write "Questioning is the door to knowledge". You are your child's advocate. You need to develop your knowledge make informed discussions. I am writing this piece to show you;
How I reached MY decision.
How I problem solve.

This decision is not right for each individual child. You as the parent need to write down the pros and cons and come to your own decision. You need to research! Ask for support and advice! Question!


So I have asked my GP to organise that Thomas has his MMR in a hospital environment under the supervision of the paediatrics.

I will keep you posted but need to organise a dairy, soya and egg free birthday party first!

This is not medical advice!

Monday 2 June 2014

How to say NO to a 3 year old??????

Quiet simply you don't !  No to a 3 year old is an invitation for a complete melt down in the middle of a shop/street/bus/party.  It is too stressful for a little man/lady not to have the same birthday cake as everyone else but life threatening for him/her to have a slice. 

Children are great they soak up information like sponges. Start education at home as soon as they start to understand and take direction.  "Thomas can't have cows milk it makes him sick.   Thomas can have rice milk."  As they move in to their terrible twos he will repeat this as he opens the fridge, tells his Nana and Granddad.  Congratulate him on being so smart.  Make it positive but a sense of realism. 

At parties bring his goodie bag and ask the host to place it on his table setting.  At one stage I put a candle in his cake for him to blow out!  As all the other children huddled around the big cake.  Explain to him/her that their cake is a special cake made by mummy for him. Sometimes it doesn't work and its hard but be coincident and don't avoid parties it is a huge part of their social development. 

I failed miserably at baking a egg free/dairy free/nut free cake.  Mine came out like bricks I could have used them as weapons.

However, with a lot of practice and trial and error I managed... I use Marshmallows instead of egg to give lift in some recipes.  I use banana mashed to give moisture. I found the egg replacer made the mixture hard.  I have used carrots/banana and orange/lemon anything to replace egg.  Rice milk for Cows milk and Cream of Tartar ( pure accident) for lift on top of baking powder/self raising flour and sodium bicarbonate.

Moo free chocolate has been our saviour...... look them up they are widely available now. 

So do I say no to the 3 year old force of nature who is trying to define his authority..... no I give him alternative, try to distract and read out the back of the labels to him.  He can't read but I point out the words like Cows Milk/Egg and Nuts.  It will prepare him for later.  And his older brother now checks all his ingredients and having your big brother reading to you is much better than mummy.

For example he stole a Twix from the utility room on Saturday I found it open in the coal bucket not touched.  He knows sometimes that it won,t suit him. WHY?

Earlier in the day I said "Thomas I don't think you can have this, look there is milk and nuts, it will make your lips and tummy sick"  He put his head down and cried and got angry.  But a cuddle and a few " i hate you mummy"  and a lot of patience later he went off.  Obviously returning to steal the Twix but not eating it !  

GOOD NEWS -  he is growing out of his allergies.  His reactions are not a rapid/intense or extreme to Cows Milk however Egg and Nuts hasn't changed.

We continue to battle the wills and respect his frustrations... its not easy being a 3 year old surround by sweets which are all at eye level in every shop you enter.  But continue to educate, read the back of the wrapper and show him alternative e.g. Oreo biscuits have no milk (whoohoo).  However, for any child Oreos for breakfast isn't a good choice.

Good Luck ! 
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Sunday 17 June 2012

Finally Got an MMR appointment!

Finally gt the MMR appointment as an inpatient in a Paederatric Ward in our nearset hospital.  It has been a struggle, alot of phone calls.  When you have a child with allergies you need a back bone and  be armed with information.  How do I feel?  Satisfied I am doing the best thing for Thomas but worried he may react!  But he can react any day to any thing at any time but this seems planned !!!   I will keep you posted....
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Tuesday 12 June 2012

Summer Salad

Egg free Pasta
Cherry Tomato
Cucumber
Parsley
Olive Oil
Tuna

Method
Boil egg free pasta as directed. 
Fry Tuna  5-10 mins on each side.  Chop into bite size.  Wash and chop tomatos, removing the seeds.  Slice cucmber (great finger food), Chop Parsley.  Toss every thing together season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. 

Great summer salad and finger food.
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