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>The effect of brief neonatal exposure to cows' milk on atopic symptoms up to
>age 5
>M H de Jong1, V T M Scharp-Van Der Linden1, R Aalberse3, H S A Heymans2 and B
>Brunekreef1

> Abstract:

> Aims: To determine the effect of brief early exposure to cows' milk on the
> expression of atopy during the first five years of life.
>
> Methods: Follow up analysis of a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised
> feeding intervention trial (BOKAAL study). Subjects were 1108 children from
> 1533 initially randomised breast fed neonates in the Netherlands. Atopic
> disease and prevalence of allergic symptoms at age 1, 2, and 5, and specific
> IgE at age 1 and 5 were determined.
>
> Results: Atopic disease in the first year was found in 10.0% (cows' milk)
> versus 9.3% (placebo) of the children, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.07. No
> differences were found in the second year either. At age 5, atopic disease was
> found in 26.3% (cows' milk) versus 25.0% (placebo), RR 1.05. There was no
> difference in the prevalence of allergic symptoms. Specific IgE to cows' milk
> (RAST positive 2+ or more) was 5.8% (cows' milk) versus 4.1% (placebo) at age
> 1 (RR 1.43), and 5.3% versus 3.0% at age 5 (RR 1.77). There was no difference
> in sensitisation to other common allergens between the two groups.
>
> Conclusion: Early, brief exposure to cows' milk in breast fed children is not
> associated with atopic disease or allergic symptoms up to age 5.

http://adc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/archdischild;86/5/365

It's the five-year follow-up to a study discussed on LACTNET back in 1998.

-- Jodine Chase

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