Difficulties and Possibilities in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Allergies against Cow’sMilk in Child Age

Overview

According to epidemiological surveys 2-3 % infants suffer from allergy to cow’s milk protein.The manifestations can be dermal, gastrointestinal or respiratory, frequently they are combinedand in rare instances the reaction is anaphylactic. The time of manifestations after contact withcow’s milk can vary from several minutes to several days. Similarly the amount of milk whichleads to the development of the reaction varies. There is no reliable laboratory test, mostfrequently skin tests and antibodies in class IgE are positive in rapid reactors. The most reliablediagnostic method is the exposure test which is made after previous regression of complaintsfollowing elimination of milk, usually after 1-4 weeks. Most objective is the double blind test,the method of which is described in the present article. In dietetic treatment protein hydroly-sates are used which serve also as a placebo is the double blind test.

Key words:
allergy - cow’s milk protein - infants.