title: Milk allergy is a minor cause of milk avoidance due to perceived hypersensitivity among schoolchildren in Northern Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated phenotypes of milk hypersensitivity among schoolchildren aged 11-12 in Northern Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a population-based cohort, 1824 (98%) children aged 11-12 participated in a questionnaire survey, skin prick testing, interviews on food hypersensitivity and assessment of body mass index (BMI). Of the 265 children reporting milk hypersensitivity, milk avoidance and no coeliac disease, 236 (89%) participated in a structured interview and blood samples for analyses of milk-specific Immunoglobulin E. The children were then categorised into milk hypersensitivity phenotypes according to preset criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 14.5% reported milk hypersensitivity. Of these, 3% were categorised as current milk allergy, 23% as outgrown milk allergy, 40% as probable lactose intolerance and 11% as nondefinable. Furthermore, 23% had discontinued their elimination diet. Milk allergy was associated with other atopic disorders and lower BMI, with an odds ratio of 0.82 and 95% confidence interval of 0.80-0.98. Only 2% had previously undergone an oral challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common symptom phenotypes among Swedish children aged 11-12 with self-reported milk hypersensitivity and milk avoidance were probable intolerance and outgrown milk allergy, while current milk allergy was uncommon. Children with milk allergy had a lower BMI and most lacked a challenge-proven diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Winberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the OLIN unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Åsa
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Strinnholm
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nordström
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the OLIN unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Linnea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hedman
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the OLIN unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rönmark
mesh_terms: D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000175:diagnosis; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D015995:Prevalence; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Body mass index; Child; Cow's milk; Epidemiology; Food allergy