Cow’s Milk Allergy

Synonyms

IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy; Milk allergy

Definition

Cow’s milk allergy is an adverse immune response to dietary antigen in cow’s milk.

Introduction

Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in young children but is rare in adults (Rona et al. 2007). The term “cow’s milk allergy” is often used to describe food hypersensitivity reactions including immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reactions, mixed IgE- and non-IgE-mediated disorders (such as allergic eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders), as well as non-IgE-mediated reactions (including allergic proctocolitis and food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome). Additionally, lactose intolerance is at times referred to as cow’s milk allergy; however, this is a nonimmune mediated food intolerance and does not represent a true allergy. This entry will focus solely on IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy.

Epidemiology

Approximately 2.5 % of newborn infants experience a hypersensitivity-type reaction to cow’s milk in the first...