COW'S MILK ALLERGY, INCIDENCE AND PATHOGENETIC ROLE OF EARLY EXPOSURE TO COW'S MILK FORMULA

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Abstract
A study was performed in infants under the age of 12 mo. born during 1974 and admitted to St. Goran''s Children''s Hospital [Sweden] with symptoms suggestive of cow''s milk allergy (CMA). The role of early exposure to cow''s milk formulas was determined as a predisposing factor to CMA and estimated the incidence of CMA in infancy. Of the infants, 25 fulfilled the criteria for CMA. Available records were reviewed and a careful history was obtained from the mothers on 2 occasions. The patient group was compared with a control group. Of the 25 infants, 16 were exposed to cow''s milk protein during their 1st wk in the nursery for newborns, 6 were exposed before the end of the 4th wk of life and 3 infants were apparently not exposed. All infants were breast fed 3-26 wk before re-exposure and occurrence of symptoms. Infants with CMA were given cow''s milk formulas during their 1st 4 wk of life significantly more often than infants in the control group (P < 0.01). The incidence of CMA was approximately 1:200. The 1st 4 wk after birth seemed to be a particularly vulnerable period. To prevent CMA, infant formula should not be given, even occasionally, during this period.