Link to article: Children who were treated with oral immunotherapy for cows’ milk allergy showed long-term desensitisation seven years later. Acta Paediatr. 2016 Feb;105(2):215-9.
Author information
- 1Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
- 2Centre for Child Health Research, Tampere University and University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
- 3Science Centre, Pirkanmaa Hospital District and School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland.
Abstract
AIM:
This was a follow-up of 28 schoolchildren with cows’ milk allergy (CMA) who attended a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled oral immunotherapy (OIT) study. In the original study, 26 (92.9%) completed the six-month escalation phase, and 25 (89.3%) used milk daily at 12 months and 24 (85.7%) at 36 months. This study evaluated the outcome seven years later, with special attention paid to milk consumption and symptoms.
METHODS:
Outcome data were collected through a postal questionnaire completed three, four and five years after enrolment and by a phone questionnaire after seven years. We asked about the daily dose of milk products, any adverse reactions, any medication needed and possible discontinuation of daily milk consumption.
RESULTS:
Data were available at the seven-year point for 24 children and 14 (58.3%) of these continued to use milk (≥200 mL) or milk products (protein ≥6400 mg) daily for seven years. However, three (21.4%) of these still reported symptoms associated with milk consumption. Of the 10 remaining children, two children used milk products daily but consumed less due to symptoms and eight (33.3%) had discontinued milk consumption.
CONCLUSION:
Oral immunotherapy was an effective and safe way of desensitising schoolchildren with persistent CMA.
©2015 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.