Asthmatic Versus Non-Allergic Children in Relation to The Presence of Cow Milk Allergy

Abstract

Background: Cow’s milk allergy is among the most frequent food allergies in young children and one of the risk factors of asthma.
Objective: The study aimed to assess the role of Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) to induce asthma and to study the effect cow milk protein on asthmatic and non-allergic children to prevent occurrence of asthma among children.
Patients and methods: A case-control study that was carried out in Pulmonology Unit of Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital. The patients were investigated at Medical Community and Immunology Department. The study included 154 child divided equally into two groups. Group A included patients with bronchial asthma and group B (control) included age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Iinvestigations: complete blood picture, renal and liver function tests, skin prick test, total immunoglobulin (IgE) was done for all participants.
Results: There was high statistically significant difference between the two studied groups as regards skin pick test. There was statistically significant increase in the levels of both total and specific Ig E in allergic group compared to control group. There was high significant increase in the severity recorded in respiratory function test in allergic group compared to control group. There was non-significant difference between the two groups regarding GIT manifestation.  There was high statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding skin and respiratory manifestations.
Conclusion: 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