Healthcare

A new approach to treating milk allergy in young children

Regular consumption of milk in baked goods speeds resolution of milk allergy. Most children with milk allergy outgrow it, but only half do so by age 5 years. Studies show that for patients who can tolerate extensively heated and baked milk (EHBM), such as in muffins and cookies, regular consumption may speed resolution of food allergy.

In a retrospective case control study, 43 children younger than 4 years with cow milk allergy who could tolerate EHBM were enrolled in a structured gradual exposure protocol. These children (median age, 17 months) underwent an oral challenge every 3 months to a baked cookie, a fried pancake, cooked cheese, and finally yoghurt, and were followed until a median age of 40 months.

By the end of the study, 86% of children in the exposure group had outgrown their milk allergy, compared to 52% of controls. Overall, 37% of patients in the exposure group had allergic reactions; although most were mild, 2 patients required epinephrine.

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A new approach to treating milk allergy in young children

Regular consumption of milk in baked goods speeds resolution of milk allergy. Most children with milk allergy outgrow it, but only half do so by age 5 years. Studies show that for patients who can tolerate extensively heated and baked milk (EHBM), such as in muffins and cookies, regular consumption may speed resolution of food allergy.

In a retrospective case control study, 43 children younger than 4 years with cow milk allergy who could tolerate EHBM were enrolled in a structured gradual exposure protocol. These children (median age, 17 months) underwent an oral challenge every 3 months to a baked cookie, a fried pancake, cooked cheese, and finally yoghurt, and were followed until a median age of 40 months.

By the end of the study, 86% of children in the exposure group had outgrown their milk allergy, compared to 52% of controls. Overall, 37% of patients in the exposure group had allergic reactions; although most were mild, 2 patients required epinephrine.

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