Safety and effectiveness of a milk ladder for managing children with IgE-mediated milk allergy

A retrospective comparison of IgE-mediated cow's milk protein allergy management strategies in pediatric cohorts

BACKGROUND

Complete avoidance of milk is the usual management for IgE-mediated cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). A baked milk ladder is a method of dietary advancement therapy in IgE-mediated CMPA in Ireland, while in Spain, avoidance of milk awaiting natural tolerance acquisition through an oral food challenge (OFC) is employed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of dietary advancement therapy using a milk ladder compared with complete avoidance of milk for managing IgE-mediated CMPA.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review of 371 pediatric patients from the population who have been treated for IgE-mediated CMPA between 2011 and 2020, with the milk ladder (Ireland) or complete avoidance followed by an OFC (Spain). The main outcome was the introduction of cow's milk.

RESULTS

Milk ladder patients were 3.67 times more likely to succeed in comparison with milk avoidance (p < .001). Anaphylaxis during the treatment period occurred in 34 patients in the milk avoidance groups, while three patients in the milk ladder group experienced anaphylaxis due to accidental exposure to milk (p < .001). Failure to complete treatment was associated with a higher skin prick test in the milk avoidance group and a raised specific IgE in the milk ladder group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that compares outcomes of dietary advancement therapy to complete avoidance for CMPA management, demonstrating that cow's milk can be successfully and safely reintroduced using dietary advancement therapy using a milk ladder.