Growth Pattern Investigation in Cow’s Milk Allergic Proctocolitis in Those Who are Under Elimination Diet

Background :

  Cow’s milk allergy is one of most prevalent food allergies worldwide. Due to elimination diet it can impair growth in infants. In this study we evaluate growth disorders in Non-immunoglobulin E mediated cow’s milk allergy named allergic proctocolitis.  

Forty-nine patients were included in this longitudinal study. The study was launched from February 2018 to February 2019 in Akbar hospital, Mashhad-Iran. Cow’s milk allergy was diagnosed according to the clinical presentation and Challenge test. All participants were breastfed during the course of study. Mothers were received 1000 mg calcium and infants 400 IU Vitamin D daily, as routine. The cow’s milk was eliminated from the diet of both mother and infant. Infants were followed up for 9 months with 3 month intervals. Growth patterns were evaluated by measuring height, weight and head circumference z-scores every 3-months. Serum level of Calcium, Vitamin D, PTH and phosphorus were evaluated before and after the follow-up period.  

The mean age of the study participants was 4.57±2.41 month. There was a statistical significant difference between weight and height Z score (p=0.028) (p=0.001), respectively, at baseline and 9 months after treatment. However, no significant difference was found in head circumference Z-score at baseline and 9 months after treatment (p=0.564). The increase in Vitamin D and PTH along with the decrease in calcium, phosphorus was significant during the study period (p <0.01). 

 Conclusion:

   It seems that elimination diet in infants with cow’s milk allergy would not suppress growth parameters and might even improve it, especially weight gain.