Cow’s milk allergy in patients with diarrhea

Abstract

Background Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) might be one of the causes of diarrhea in children. Previous prospective studies found the prevalence of CMA in children aged 0-3 years between 1.1-5.2%, but data about the prevalence of CMA in children with diarrhea was very limited. Objective This study intended to estimate the prevalence of CMA in children with diarrhea. Methods Children aged 0-3 years, who came with diarrhea and consumed milk formula were selected for further evaluation. A diagnostic procedure was developed i.e., elimination diet with par- tially hydrolyzed formula (pHF) for 2 weeks, and then open milk challenge. If diarrhea was not resolved with pHF, the children were given extensively hydrolyzed formula, or soy-based formula. Results Ninety-nine children participated in this study, 87 came with acute diarrhea and 12 with chronic diarrhea. There were 3 children (2 children with acute diarrhea and one with chronic diarrhea) who reacted to the milk challenge. Conclusion The estimated prevalence of CMA in children with diarrhea in our study was 3%

Keywords

• cow’s milk allergy
• diarrhea
• partially hydrolyzed formula
• extensively hydrolyzed formula