Cow's milk allergy: outcome and oral challenge test about 31 cases

Abstract

Aims: To describe the outcome of Cow's milk allergy (CMA) and the results of the oral challenge test. Patients and methods: Retrospective study conducted in the department of Pediatrics B of the children's Hospital Bechir Hamza of Tunis, between 2007 and 2015. Results: Thirty-one patients were included. Twenty-three patients had an IgE-mediated CMA, and eight a non IgE-mediated allergy. Cow's milk was introduced at home in 58% with failed introduction in 44.4%. Oral challenge test was performed in hospital in 28 cases. The mean age of the first oral challenge test was 2.11 years. The oral challenge test was successful in 24 cases. The mean age of tolerance acquisition was 1.86 year. In five patients, the reintroduction failed. Three patients have persistent cow's milk allergy. Oral challenge test with backed milk was performed in two children with success in one. On the follow up, four patients developed asthma. Conclusion: Milk allergy tests should be performed before oral challenge test to predict successful or failure milk test reintroduction.