Early risk factors for cow's milk allergy in children in the first year of life

摘要

Background:Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is a key form of food allergy (FA). It was shown that the frequency of FA seems to have increased during the past 10‐20 years, which led to the thought that FA may have different risk factors. Epigenetic regulations and environmentalpre- and postnatal factors play a large role in contributing to allergy. Understanding the risk factors that pertain to the development of FA may help to provide reasonable recommendations for prevention of the disease. Objective:To assess the impact of perinatal and environmentalrisk factors on the incidence of CMA in children in the first year of life. Methods:The study group consisted of 138 infants with CMA and 101 healthy infants without allergy. CMA was confirmed by an elimination test and oral food challenge. To assess infant, parental,and environmental risk factors, we used a validated questionnaire survey. Results:The incidence of CMA was three times higher in infants with a positive family history for allergy (p Conclusion:A positive family history of allergy and mother's education increased the risk of CMA in children in the first year of life, whereas having pets at home and a longer period of breast-feeding decreased the risk.