Epidemiology of Cow’s Milk Allergy

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies in infants and young children. CMA can result in anaphylactic reactions, and has long term implications on growth and nutrition. There are several studies in diverse populations assessing the epidemiology of CMA. However, assessment is complicated by the presence of other immune-mediated reactions to cow’s milk. These include non-IgE and mixed (IgE and non-IgE) reactions and common non-immune mediated reactions, such as lactose intolerance. Estimates of prevalence and population-level patterns are further complicated by the natural history of CMA (given its relatively high rate of resolution) and variation in phenotype (with a large proportion of patients able to tolerate baked cow’s milk). Prevalence, natural history, demographic patterns, and long-term outcomes of CMA have been explored in several disparate populations over the past 30 to 40 years, with differences seen based on the method of outcome assessment, study population, time period, and geographic region. The primary aim of this review is to describe the epidemiology of CMA. The review also briefly discusses topics related to prevalence studies and specific implications of CMA, including severity, natural course, nutritional impact, and risk factors.

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Natural history of immunoglobulin E-mediated cow’s milk allergy in a population of Argentine children

Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria ◽

10.5546/aap.2017.eng.331 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 115 (04) ◽

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Cow’S Milk Allergy ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Milk Allergy ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Cow's Milk Allergy ◽

History Of

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Immunonutrition for Pediatric Patients With Cow's Milk Allergy: How Early Interventions Could Impact Long-Term Outcomes

Frontiers in Allergy ◽

10.3389/falgy.2021.676200 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Carucci ◽

Serena Coppola ◽

Anna Luzzetti ◽

Luana Voto ◽

Veronica Giglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

System Development ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Cow’S Milk Allergy ◽

Food Allergies ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Milk Allergy ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Cow's Milk Allergy ◽

Immune System Development

Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is one of the most common food allergies and one of the main causes of food-induced anaphylaxis in the pediatric age. Moreover, up to 45% of CMA children develop other atopic manifestations later in life, a phenomenon commonly named atopic march. Thus, CMA imposes a significant cost to health care systems as well as to families, and has emerged as one of the most expensive allergic diseases. The immunonutrition strategy builds its foundation on the ability of selected dietary factors to modulate immune system development and function. Recent studies highlighted the potential of immunonutrition in the management of CMA. This review is focused on the mechanisms and long-term clinical outcomes of the immunonutrition approach in children with CMA.

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Development of Food Allergies with Special Reference to Cow's Milk Allergy

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.75.1.177 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 177-181

Author(s):

Tony Foucard

Keyword(s):

Wide Spectrum ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Cow’S Milk Allergy ◽

Food Allergies ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Gradual Change ◽

Milk Allergy ◽

Early Introduction ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Cow's Milk Allergy

Using strict criteria, the incidence of cow's milk sensitivity is probably 1% to 2% during the first 2 years of life. Although there is a wide spectrum of sensitivity symptoms caused by cow's milk, two major groups of infants are discernible. One group consists of infants who react to small amounts of cow's milk within a few minutes up to one hour, usually with gastrointestinal symptoms or urticaria. These infants are often atopic and have positive findings on skin prick tests and radioallergosorbent test (RAST) reactions to cow's milk allergens. The other group consists of children whose reaction to cow's milk occurs one hour or longer after intake of cow's milk or cow's milk-based formula. These reactions are usually not immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated and different immune and nonimmune mechanisms probably cause the symptoms. The risk of developing cow's milk sensitivity seems to be influenced by the atopic constitution of the infant and the age at which cow's milk is introduced. Early exposure to cow's milk increases the risk, not only of adverse reactions to this milk but also of developing allergies to other foods. It is suggested that early introduction of cow's milk may enhance the risk of future respiratory allergies. Allergists are still not in agreement as to whether the weaning process should be rapid or should consist of a gradual change from breast milk to cow's milk in order to minimize the risk of cow's milk allergy.

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