The High Rate Of Cow'S Milk Sensitization In Asian Children Is Associated With The Amount Of Cow'S Milk Ingestion

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RationalSpecific IgE antibody to cow's milk reflects sensitization. Information about pattern of cow's milk sensitization and associated factors is limited in Asian countries. We investigated the prevalence rates of sensitization to cow's milk in children from birth until 7 years old.MethodsSera from 284 healthy children were measured for cow's milk specific IgE (CM s-IgE) by FEIA method, ImmunoCAP system. The cutoff level is ≥ 0.35 kUA/L. The questionnaires about associated factors were answered by the parents.ResultsThe overall prevalence of positive cow's milk specific IgE among patients from all ages was 25% with the average level of 0.34 (+ 0.87), range 0 - 6.96 kUA/L. The highest prevalence rate was in the age of 2-4 year olds (31.8%). The sensitization rates and average levels according to ages were as follows; from birth to 6 months (12.7%, 0.09 kUA/L), 6 months-1 year old (31.7%, 0.47 kUA/L), 1-2 year olds (26.7%, 0.46 kUA/L), 2-4 year olds (31.8%, 0.43 kUA/L) and 4-7 year olds (24.1%, 0.28 kUA/L), respectively. The level of CM s-IgE was correlated with the amount of cow's milk intake of the subjects (R=0.16, P< 0.01). Additionally, the percentages of sensitization in the exclusive compared with non-exclusive breast-fed were significantly different (10% vs 26.77%, p< 0.05).ConclusionsSensitization to cow's milk protein is not uncommon in children under 4 years. The amount of cow’ milk ingestion is associated with the increasing rates of sensitization. Exclusive breast-feeding may decrease the rate of sensitization. RationalSpecific IgE antibody to cow's milk reflects sensitization. Information about pattern of cow's milk sensitization and associated factors is limited in Asian countries. We investigated the prevalence rates of sensitization to cow's milk in children from birth until 7 years old. Specific IgE antibody to cow's milk reflects sensitization. Information about pattern of cow's milk sensitization and associated factors is limited in Asian countries. We investigated the prevalence rates of sensitization to cow's milk in children from birth until 7 years old. MethodsSera from 284 healthy children were measured for cow's milk specific IgE (CM s-IgE) by FEIA method, ImmunoCAP system. The cutoff level is ≥ 0.35 kUA/L. The questionnaires about associated factors were answered by the parents. Sera from 284 healthy children were measured for cow's milk specific IgE (CM s-IgE) by FEIA method, ImmunoCAP system. The cutoff level is ≥ 0.35 kUA/L. The questionnaires about associated factors were answered by the parents. ResultsThe overall prevalence of positive cow's milk specific IgE among patients from all ages was 25% with the average level of 0.34 (+ 0.87), range 0 - 6.96 kUA/L. The highest prevalence rate was in the age of 2-4 year olds (31.8%). The sensitization rates and average levels according to ages were as follows; from birth to 6 months (12.7%, 0.09 kUA/L), 6 months-1 year old (31.7%, 0.47 kUA/L), 1-2 year olds (26.7%, 0.46 kUA/L), 2-4 year olds (31.8%, 0.43 kUA/L) and 4-7 year olds (24.1%, 0.28 kUA/L), respectively. The level of CM s-IgE was correlated with the amount of cow's milk intake of the subjects (R=0.16, P< 0.01). Additionally, the percentages of sensitization in the exclusive compared with non-exclusive breast-fed were significantly different (10% vs 26.77%, p< 0.05). The overall prevalence of positive cow's milk specific IgE among patients from all ages was 25% with the average level of 0.34 (+ 0.87), range 0 - 6.96 kUA/L. The highest prevalence rate was in the age of 2-4 year olds (31.8%). The sensitization rates and average levels according to ages were as follows; from birth to 6 months (12.7%, 0.09 kUA/L), 6 months-1 year old (31.7%, 0.47 kUA/L), 1-2 year olds (26.7%, 0.46 kUA/L), 2-4 year olds (31.8%, 0.43 kUA/L) and 4-7 year olds (24.1%, 0.28 kUA/L), respectively. The level of CM s-IgE was correlated with the amount of cow's milk intake of the subjects (R=0.16, P< 0.01). Additionally, the percentages of sensitization in the exclusive compared with non-exclusive breast-fed were significantly different (10% vs 26.77%, p< 0.05). ConclusionsSensitization to cow's milk protein is not uncommon in children under 4 years. The amount of cow’ milk ingestion is associated with the increasing rates of sensitization. Exclusive breast-feeding may decrease the rate of sensitization. Sensitization to cow's milk protein is not uncommon in children under 4 years. The amount of cow’ milk ingestion is associated with the increasing rates of sensitization. Exclusive breast-feeding may decrease the rate of sensitization.