COW\u27S MILK ALLERGY IN THE POPULATION OF INFANTS AND EARLY PRESCHOOLERS FROM THE VUKOVAR – SRIJEM COUNTY

Abstract

Introduction: Cow\u27s milk allergy is the most common allergic reaction present among infants and early preschoolers. The early diagnosis of the condition is crucial for adequate treatment of the affected child. Aim: To determine prevalence of cow\u27s milk allergy in the population of infants (0-1 years) and early preschoolers (1-4 years) from Vukovar–Srijem County and demographical characteristics of affected children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2014 in Vukovar General County Hospital and was approved by the responsible Ethical Committee. It included 59 children - suspected of having cow\u27s milk allergy (38/59, 64.4% boys and 21/59, 35.6% girls; mean age 20.8±16.2 months). The serum concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein were determined and demographic data for each patient were collected (gender, age, place of living). Standardized UniCAP fluorescence-enzyme immunoassay (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden) was used to determine serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies for cow\u27s milk protein. Results: In observed population there were 35.6% (21/59) of children affected with cow\u27s milk allergy. The allergy was more common with boys (39.5%), and children who lived in villages (56.5%). Average value of serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein among affected children was 9.9±23.8 kU/L, and it was higher for boys (12.6 kU/L) in comparison to girls (3.2 kU/L). Conclusion: This study indicates that the cow\u27s milk allergy is relatively frequent within the observed population thus there is a need for further evaluation of this issue. In addition, the study has shown that the diagnosis of cow\u27s milk allergy in Croatia is still relatively late and because of that there is a need to make additional efforts for earlier diagnosis of such condition that would also improve the therapeutic approach to affected children