The Effect of Early Cow's Milk Elimination Diet on the Growth Pattern

The Effect of Early Cow's Milk Elimination Diet on the Growth Pattern and Nutritional Status of Preschool Children

This study aimed to survey the growth of children who were on elimination diet due to cow milk allergy in Turkey. 0-5 year aged children diagnosed with cow's milk allergy (CMA) and healthy age-sex-matched children as the control group was planned for inclusion. Participants will be included in the study by consecutive sampling. The anthropometry measurements (height-for-age [HFA], weight-for-age [WFA], and weight-for-height [WtHt]) will be evaluated according to the Z-score using the WHO ANTHRO [Z-score = Patient's value - Average value / Standard Deviation (SD)]. The Z-score (SDS) in the average child by age was "0".

0-5 year aged children diagnosed with cow's milk allergy (CMA) and healthy age-sex-matched children as the control group was planned for inclusion. The study will constitute of two groups; group 1; the children who received cow's milk elimination (CME) diet and group 2; the healthy controls. Group 1 will constitute of children aged 0-5 years who received a CME diet due to CMA (Ig E-mediated and/or non-Ig E-mediated and/or mixed type)], confirmed by an oral food challenge test (OFC) and had reintroduced cow's milk for at least ≥ three months ago. Participants will be included in the study by consecutive sampling. The anthropometric measurements (height-for-age [HFA], weight-for-age [WFA], and weight-for-height [WtHt]) will be evaluated according to the Z-score using the WHO ANTHRO [Z-score = Patient's value - Average value / Standard Deviation (SD)]. The Z-score (SDS) in the average child by age was "0".

Study Group Inclusion Criteria:

• had a diagnosis of CMA by OFC, except children with known anaphylaxis
• those on a CME diet or a specialized infant formula for at least three months
• had reintroduced cow's milk for at least three months ago.
• Children who excluded other foods in addition to cows' milk in the first four years of life for ≥ three months and who currently introduced these foods for at least ≥ three months were also enrolled in the CME group.

Healthy group inclusion criteria:

• did not have CMA and other allergic diseases
• who had never been on a diet throughout their lives.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known acute (e.g., influenza) or chronic (e.g., diabetes, immune deficiencies ) diseases,
• history of systemic steroid use > 0.5 mg/kg for more than one week in their life,
• recurrent infections within the last three months,
• food restriction other than food allergy (e.g., vegan, vegetarian),
• moderate to severe asthma, and other medical or surgical conditions which might affect nutrition and growth.