[Incidence of IgE-mediated allergy to cow's milk proteins in the first year of life].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the incidence of IgE-mediated allergy to cow's milk proteins during the first year of life.

METHODS:

A multicenter, prospective study of newborns selected from different health centers was performed. The newborn infants were followed-up during the first year of life. Newborns with suspected adverse reaction to cow's milk were sent to the referral hospital for diagnostic study. This study was based on clinical history, skin tests (skin prick test) and on determination of specific IgE in serum (Pharmacia CAP system) against cow's milk and its protein fractions. Diagnosis was confirmed by open challenge.

RESULTS:

A total of 1,663 newborns were followed-up during the first year of life. Adverse reaction was suspected in 56 infants (3.3%). Allergy to cow's milk proteins was confirmed in 6 infants (0.36 %). Eighty-three percent of (5/6) children with cow's milk allergy had first-degree relatives with atopic disease compared with 19 % of children (329/1657) without cow's milk allergy. Among the entire sample, 26 infants had first-degree relatives with atopic disease and one of these infants (3.8%) developed cow milk allergy. The six children with cow's milk allergy were exclusively breast-fed, and clinical reaction developed within 1 week of the introduction of artificial feeding.

CONCLUSION:

The incidence of IgE-mediated allergy to cow's milk was 0.36 %. In infants with two first-degree family members with atopic disease, the probability of developing allergy to cow's milk proteins during the first year of life was 3.8%.

• Authors: J Sanz Ortega, A Martorell Aragonés, A Michavila Gómez, A Nieto García, Grupo de Trabajo para el Estudio de la Alergia Alimentaria
• Journal: Anales espanoles de pediatria (An Esp Pediatr) Vol. 54 Issue 6 Pg. 536-9 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 0302-4342 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Estudio de la incidencia de alergia mediada por IgE frente a la proteína de la leche de vaca en el primer año de vida.
• PMID: 11412399 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Milk Proteins
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Animals
• Cattle
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Incidence
• Infant
• Male
• Milk Hypersensitivity (epidemiology, immunology)
• Milk Proteins (immunology)
• Prospective Studies