Cow's milk allergy in infancy.

Abstract

Cow's milk allergy affects approximately 2% of infants under 2 years of age. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding its pathophysiology and immunological mechanisms. Apart from IgE-mediated atopic manifestations, T cell-mediated reactions have been demonstrated in infants with cow's milk allergy. The clinical spectrum ranges from immediate-type reactions, presenting with urticaria and angioedema to intermediate and late-onset reactions, including atopic dermatitis, infantile colic, gastro-oesophageal reflux, oesophagitis, infantile proctocolitis, food-associated enterocolitis and constipation. The exact mechanisms of these disorders are still poorly understood. Double-blind, placebo controlled food challenge, the definitive diagnostic test for cow's milk allergy, is increasingly being replaced by the measurement of food-specific antibodies, in combination with skin-prick or atopy patch testing. The treatment of cow's milk allergy relies on allergen avoidance and hypoallergenic formulae, or maternal elimination diets in breast-fed infants.

• Authors: Ralf G Heine, Said Elsayed, Clifford S Hosking, David J Hill
• Journal: Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology (Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 2 Issue 3 Pg. 217-25 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 1528-4050 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12045418 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Milk Proteins

Topics

• Allergens (adverse effects, immunology)
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant Welfare
• Infant, Newborn
• Milk Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Milk Proteins (adverse effects, immunology)