[Analysis of the risk factors to persistent milk allergy].
BACKGROUND
We have evaluated the prognosis of milk allergy and the related factors.


METHODS
Patients with milk allergy (n=60) who had initially visited our hospital before 2 years old were recruited for the chart review. The ability of milk intake (> 30 ml) at the age of 5 years and the related clinical factors were evaluated.


RESULTS
There were 33 patients (55%) who remained allergic to milk (allergic group) and 27 patients (45%) who could consume at least 30 ml of milk (small amount of milk intake group) by the age of 5 years. The small amount of milk intake group had a history of isolated skin symptoms after ingestion of milk more frequently than the allergic group. On the other hands, the allergic group experienced significantly higher rate of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Milk-specific IgE antibodies were examined repeatedly in each patient, and the IgE titers were significantly decreased by age in the small amount of milk intake group. In the allergic group, however, the maximum milk-specific IgE titers in each patient were significantly higher than those in the small amount of milk intake group, and after significant increase from the age of 0 to 1 years, the IgE titers did not decrease until the age of 3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms followed by milk intake and persistent high milk-specific IgE titers were associated with persistent milk allergy.
Department of Allergy, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center.
Yuri
Y
Takaoka
Masaki
M
Futamura
Tatsuo
T
Sakamoto
Komei
K
Ito
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D007073:Immunoglobulin E