Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background & Objectives: food allergy prevalence is relatively high in infants. About 6-8% of infants have cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). The clinical presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms(diarrhea, bloody stool)-dermatologic symptoms( eczema, urticaria) and respiratory symptoms(wheezing and rhinitis). The purpose of the present study was to investigate Cow's milk protein allergy and its clinical symptoms. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 81 infants (age between 1 month and 2 years) with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy which was previously confirmed by challenge test in Ghaem hospital in 2011. Data were collected using a specific questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software version 18 presented with chi square and independent t-test. Results: 74.1% of cases presented gastrointestinal symptom of allergy less than 6 months old. Bloody stool was reported in 55 of cases. This finding was more common before the age 6 months. Main non-gastrointestinal symptoms were skin disease in 40.7% and respiratory symptoms in 33.3%. 33 infants had positive history of antibiotic intake by their mothers during pregnancy or lactation. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms of CMPA mainly occur less than 6 months of age and the most common symptoms are diarrhea and bloody stool. Early feeding of infants by diary and also using antibiotics by mothers increase chance of early presentation of disease in susceptible infants