[Cow's milk protein allergy in disability children].

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in children. However, the prevalence of CMPA in disability children is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To know the frequency of CMPA in disability children and to assess the clinical improvement after a suppression diet.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cohort study at the Children's Rehabilitation Center Telethon of Puebla, in which children aged 6 months to 5 years with clinical symptoms of CMPA were included, between January and September 2012. An exploratory questionnaire about clinical symptoms of CMPA was applied before and after the cow's milk proteins suppression diet.

RESULTS: We identified 26 cases among 145 assessed children (18%). The mean age was 2 years and 7 months. All children had a history of multiple clinical symptoms. Respiratory symptoms were the most common, follows for gastrointestinal symptoms, including regurgitation, which suggests the association with gastroesophageal reflux.

CONCLUSIONS: CMPA is frequent in disability children. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common. Cow's milk proteins suppression diet was a useful diagnostic and therapy tool for these children.