Cow’s Milk Sensitization in Young Children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Introduction:: Recent reports have suggested that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is link with cow’s milk allergy (CMA) in children. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CMA in young children with GERD.Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional study included 33 children (median age, 2.93±1.90 years) with GERD according to a valid gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire and 33 healthy children (median age, 3.39±1.90 years). CMA was diagnosed by skin test, serum specific IgE level and atopy patch test to milk in both patient and control groups.Results: Twenty- four children with GERD showed positive reaction to at least one of the diagnostic tests for CMA compared to 13 children in control group (OR=1.78; CI 95% 1.14 to 2.80). There was a significant difference in the result of patch test between the children with GERD and controls (OR=2.06; CI 95%, 1.46 to 2.91), but not in the skin test and the level of specific IgE to milk. Twenty- two patients (67%) had positive family history for atopy while four children (12%) in control group (P