Pilot Study on the Efficacy and Safety of an Oral Desensitization Protocol at the Onset of Food Allergy
Pilot Study on the Efficacy and Safety of an Oral Desensitization Protocol at the Onset of Food Allergy
Cow's milk (CM) allergy is the most frequent food allergy in the first years of life, with prevalence rates estimated in the range of 2-3%.
The elimination of CM is the mainstay of treatment, but accidental exposure to CM proteins is not uncommon, with a considerable risk of severe allergic reactions.
Recent evidence suggests that early oral exposure in young children may protect to the development of allergy. On the same way, strategies have been developed for the use of oral exposure as immunotherapy for the treatment of children with established food allergy even if available data on the use of oral immunotherapy in infants with food allergy are very limited.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of an oral immunotherapy protocol, started in the first year of life, in children with CM allergy.
Inclusion Criteria:
• children between 3-12 months with CM allergy (defined as the association of typical clinical manifestations in the first hour after CM ingestion and evidence of sensitization of CM proteins on both skin prick test and specific serum IgE levels)
Exclusion Criteria: