20. MOTHERS OF INFANTS WITH COW'S MILK ALLERGY VS. CONTROLS HAVE LESS IgA ANTIBODIES TO COW'S MILK PROTEIN IN MILK AND PLASMA

Abstract

During a follow-up of 198 infants from birth to age 12 months, 7 developed allergy to cow's milk. In 2 of these eczema appeared even during exclusive breast feeding (at ages 1 and 5 months), and in the others shortly after the introduction of cow's milk (between ages 3 and 10 months). The allergy was verified by test challenge in hospital. Of the 7 infants, 6 had supranormal plasma levels of IgE, and IgE antibodies to cow's milk. In the development of total and anti-cow's milk IgA, IgG and IgM plasma levels the 7 infants did not differ from the others. IgA antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin were lower in the mothers of the 7 infants than in the other mothers in colostrum and in milk 4 months post partum (p=0.05). There was no such difference in milk beta-lactoglobulin concentrations. The total IgA levels in milk were also lower in the 7 mothers throughout lactation; the difference was significant at 4 and 6 months post partum. The levels of IgG and IgM cow's milk antibodies were low in breast milk and showed no such difference. Plasma levels of IgA cow's milk antibodies were also lower in the mothers of the 7 infants than in the other mothers. We infer that inmunoglobulins in breast milk may influence the infant's immune responses to food antigens.