COW'S MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY: PROPOSAL FOR A FORM AND HEALTH INDICATORS FOR THE REQUEST AND DISPENSATION OF SPECIAL NUTRITIONAL FORMULAS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to outline a proposal for an instrument, evaluation, and monitoring for requesting and supplying Nutritional Formulas (NF) for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). A cross-sectional study was carried out, through the critical analysis of the results of the first stage of the research, which evaluated the quality of the medical, nutritional, and social forms for requesting NF for children with CMPA in the Pharmaceutical Services (PS) of the Health Department of the State of Tocantins. The second stage consisted of the application of a questionnaire with the parents/guardians of the children registered in the PS between 2021-2022, where the socioeconomic data of the family, the nutritional status of the children, and food consumption were collected through a 24-hour food recall. A descriptive analysis of the questionnaire data was performed. A proposal was developed for new instruments for requesting NF for CMPA and health indicators for evaluation and monitoring. It was identified the need to add to the medical form (type of diagnosis, test performed), the nutritional form (assessment of nutritional status based on growth curves, daily FN schedule, and complementary feeding), and the social form (standardization of information regarding the family's socioeconomic conditions). Health indicators were elaborated from the surveillance of health conditions and the service produced, providing support for decision-making in the sector. The use of the new forms will enable comprehensive health care and the human right to adequate food. The elaboration of specific health indicators becomes important for better follow-up and monitoring of the service.