Desensitisation to cow’s milk

Tuesday, 07 September 2010 08:58

In response to the view that current protocols for desensitisation to cow’s milk are time-consuming and impractical, researchers in Italy have conducted a trial to test a desensitisation regimen with weekly up-dosing.

Thirty children with confirmed cow’s milk allergy took part in the study. They were randomised to receive either cow’s milk or soy milk as the control. The weekly up-dosing lasted 18 weeks. Specific IgG4 levels were tested and double-blind food challenges were conducted on the children after they had finished the program.

Two active and 1 control patients dropped out. Full tolerance to cow’s milk was regarded as being able to consume 200 mL without adverse reaction. Ten patients in the active group achieved this level of tolerance, while two experienced severe reactions and withdrew from the study.

The sensitivity to cow’s milk among the control group remained unchanged at the completion of the study. A significant increase in specific IgG4 levels was found only in the active group, leading the researchers to conclude their program was effective and reasonably safe.

Reference: Pajno et al. 2010. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology doi:10.1016/j.anai.2010.03.015