British doctors are misdiagnosing milk allergy symptoms in babies and sometimes recommending inappropriate milk substitutes, according to a survey published today.

The Act Against Allergy survey of 500 doctors across Europe, including 100 in this country, found that 78 per cent of British doctors think that their colleagues are confusing milk allergy symptoms with other conditions such as gastroenteritis and colic.

Cows milk protein allergy is the most common cause of food allergy in infants and affects up to 3 per cent of babies, the survey said. It affects at least 10,000 babies in Britain, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.

The survey also found that six out of ten of the 500 doctors surveyed are using inappropriate treatment for babies with milk allergy.

Act Against Allergy suggests more education for doctors on how to diagnose the condition and more information for parents so they know how to recognise the symptoms.

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