Pathophysiology
MATERNAL IMMUNE STATUS AGAINST β-LACTOGLOBULIN AND COW'S MILK ALLERGY IN THE INFANT
Casmir GJA, Duchateau J, Cuvelier P, Vis HL. Ann Allergy. 1989;63:517-519
Purpose of the Study
The reported frequency of cow's milk allergy in children varies between 0.3% and 7.5% (population with earlier weaning has higher incidence). A thorough family history of atopy and cord IgE level at birth have been used to predict infants "at risk." Previous studies have shown that high cord IgE level (exceeding 1 IU/mL) was predictive of subsequent development of atopic disease. The purpose of this study was to follow-up the predictive relationship of maternal IgG-anti-BLG (IgG against β-lactoglobulin which is a major cow's milk antigen) and allergic manifestations in the infant.
Study Population: Subject Section
Mothers. All women were selected from the obstetric department of St Pierre Hospital in Brussels, Belgium.
Infants. 69 infants were chosen who were born to these mothers by vaginal delivery and were fed cow's milk.
Methods
Clinical Evaluation. Every month during the first 6 months of life, infants were examined clinically for allergic symptoms. Gastrointestinal signs (diarrhea, vomiting, colic), atopic dermatitis, and respiratory problems (asthma, chronic cough, rhinitis) were recorded.
Symptomatic children were treated with Alfare (Nestle) containing hydrolysates of cow's milk proteins with minimal allergenicity.
Biologic Investigations. IgG-anti-BLG levels in mothers' sera were measured using solid-phase radioimmunoassay method. These levels were expressed in arbitrary units per milliliter.
All children were screened for total IgE levels at 5 days of age.
Specific IgE anti-cow's milk radioallergosorbent tests (RASTs) were performed in all patients at 1 month of age.
Threshold dose of cow’s milk in sensitization to casein higher than those of casein and β-lactoglobulin in children with cow’s milk allergy
