Cow's Milk Protein Allergy in Infants and Their Response to Avoidance Section

Background: Cow's milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in infants and young children which affects 2% to 7.5% of the paediatric population. Although advanced immune regulatory medications were approved for the treatment, it seems that avoidance of cow's milk derivatives is the most effective therapeutic plan. In this study, we evaluated cow's milk protein allergy in infants with a positive family history and its response to the avoidance of cow's milk derivatives. Methods: We conducted a cohort study on one hundred infants with the symptoms of CMPA who presented to the Najmiyeh Outpatients Clinic, Tehran, Iran, between 2008 and 2009. Other diagnoses were overruled and the CMPA treatment (avoidance of any cow's milk derivatives) was recommended. The children were followed up after two weeks of undergoing the Allergen Avoidance Regimen (AAR) and the efficacy of the regimen was assessed. Results: Ninety three infants (mean age+/-SD: 4.23+/-2.02 months, male: 54.8%) completed the study. A positive family history of atopy was observed in 77 (82.8%) children. Eighty eight infants (94.6%) showed a proper response to the AAR. There was no statistically significant correlation between the response to the AAR and the type of family history of the allergy, feeding and the clinical symptoms (P value of < 0.05). Conclusion: The common age of incidence of CMPA was a period between 3 and 6 months and the common symptoms of it were gastrointestinal symptoms. Regardless of the family history of the allergy or the types of clinical symptoms; the AAR was effective on the patients. However, the prevalence of the failure to the AAR was considerable.