[Use of goat's milk in patients with cow's milk allergy].
BACKGROUND
Several epidemiological studies estimate that cow's milk allergy affects approximately 3-5 % of infants in industrialized countries. Infant formulae based on soy protein or hydrolysates free of cow's milk protein guarantee adequate nutritional development, although they may be inadequate for older patients.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possibility of using goat's milk in these patients by investigating possible cross-reactivity between both proteins in vivo and in vitro.


METHODS
Twelve patients with cow's milk allergy were tested for tolerance to goat's milk protein through radioallergosorbent assay (RAST), specific IgE, skin prick and challenge tests.


RESULTS
Only 25 % of the patients showed adequate immediate and late oral tolerance and had negative results of immunological tests for adverse reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of goat's milk cannot be recommended to patients with cow's milk allergy without investigation of possible tolerance by a specialist. For the 25 % of patients that tolerate goat's protein, goat's milk can be a excellent substitute in children older than 2 years old.
Infante Pina
D
D
Unidad de Gastroenterología y Nutrición Pediátrica. Clínica Infantil Stauros. Barcelona. España. dinfante@teleline.es
Tormo Carnice
R
R
Conde Zandueta
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test