DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF COWS’ MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

  • Marlene Salvador Interna de Pediatria Médica/Resident, Pediatrics, Hospital Rainha Santa Isabel - Torres Novas, Centro Hospitalar Médio Tejo, Portugal
  • Marília Rodrigues Interna de Pediatria Médica/Resident, Pediatrics, Hospital Rainha Santa Isabel - Torres Novas, Centro Hospitalar Médio Tejo, Portugal
  • Ana Cordeiro Assistente de Pediatria Médica /Consultant, Pediatrics, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Portugal
  • Maria João Paiva Lopes Assistente Graduada de Dermatologia/Graduated Consultant, Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central, Portugal
Keywords: Child, Infant, Immunoglobulin E, Lactose intolerance, Milk hypersensitivity, Milk proteins

Abstract

Cow’s milk protein allergy is an increasingly prevalent and more prolonged disease. Cow’s milk protein allergy is the most common food allergy in infants with a prevalence of approximately 2% to 3%. It may develop even in exclusively breastfed infants. It can manifest through a wide variety of symptoms depending on whether the type of immune response is IgE or non-IgE mediated. Symptoms and signs related to cow’s milk protein allergy may involve many different organ systems, mostly the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Among the skin manifestations, urticaria and angioedema are likely the most common, followed by atopic dermatitis, pruritus, diffuse erythema and maculopapular rash. Cow’s milk protein allergy is suspected clinically in a large number of children. An incorrect diagnostic workup often leads to unnecessary dietary restrictions that may affect growth and development of children. This article presents a practical approach for the diagnosis and management of suspected cow’s milk protein allergy according to age and symptom severity.

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Published
2014-07-17
How to Cite
Salvador, M., Rodrigues, M., Cordeiro, A., & Paiva Lopes, M. J. (2014). DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF COWS’ MILK PROTEIN ALLERGY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 72(1), 23-33. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.72.1.223
Section
Continuous Medical Education