Abstract

Background: Hypersensitivity to cow milk proteins is one of the main food allergies
and affects mostly but not exclusively infants, while it may also persist through
adulthood and can be very severe. Different clinical symptoms of milk allergy have
been established. The diagnosis of milk allergy differs widely due to the multiplicity
and degrees of symptoms, and can be achieved by skin or blood tests. The aim of
this study to assess the role of cow milk (CM) to induce asthma and compare
between the presence of cow milk protein allergy in asthmatic and non-allergic
children and to prevent occurrence of asthma among children, Subjects and
methods: This is a case control study, was conducted on 154 patients divided into
two groups (77 in each). This study was conducted in Pulmonology Unit of
Pediatric Department in Zagazig University Hospital. Result: There was high
statistically significant difference between the two studied groups as regards skin
pick test. There was high significant increase in the severity recorded in respiratory
function test in allergic group compared to control group. Conclusion: our study
showed that CMA can exacerbate the symptoms in children with asthma. Therefore,
it is worth considering a possible role of food allergy in asthma in young children,
particularly when asthma is not adequately controlled in spite of proper routine
management. Although SPT seemed to be more reliable than sIgE testing, both had
suboptimal reliability. A definite decision should depend on performing a titrated
oral challenge test.