Study sheds light on cow's milk allergy in children

Dermatology Nursing, June, 2006 by Diana Gorgos

Study results from a prospective study by Dr. Kristiina M. Saarinen and colleagues from the University of Helsinki show that half of the children allergic to cow's milk at age 7 months are tolerant by 2 years of age. However, children who are IgE positive tend to remain allergic longer. Results of the study were summarized in the January 2006 issue of Skin &Allergy News.

Children in the study were part of a population-based cohort of 6,209 term newborn infants collected in 1994 and 1995. Cow's milk allergy (CMA) was confirmed by an elimination challenge test in 118 of the children. Study results found that by the age of 8.6 years, children with IgE-mediated CMA had asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and atopic eczema more frequently, as well as sensitization to any allergen, in comparison to control subjects. At an average age of 7 months, 75 (64%) of the children had IgE positive CMA, but 12 months later, at a mean age of 1.6 years, 21 of the IgE-positive children had become IgE-negative, and 11 of the IgE-negative children switched to become IgE-positive.

Children in the IgE-positive group were significantly more likely to have urticaria, exanthema, or both, whereas children in the IgE-negative group more often had atopic eczema and diarrhea. Upon continued follow-up, researchers determined all children in the IgEnegative group had developed tolerance to CMA by the age of 7 years, but only 74% of the IgE-positive children had developed tolerance; 15% of this group still had CMA at the mean age of 8.6 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the CMA is an independent risk factor for developing other atopic diseases and sensitization to inhaled allergens.

Diana Gorgos, MS, BS, RN, is a Provider Support Manager, Healthways, Lake City, MN; and DNA Focus Editor.