Background/purpose: To determine the frequency and characteristics of suspected cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants with gastroschisis and response to change in milk.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 111 consecutive infants with gastroschisis.
Results: 64 episodes suggesting non-IgE-mediated CMPA occurred in 50 infants (45 %) at a median age of 44 days (9-186) and during the primary admission in 38 %. At the time of the episode the infant feed was breast milk (BM, n = 24), term formula (TF, n = 20) or extensively hydrolysed formula (EHF, n = 6). The feed was changed to EHF (34), amino acid formula (AAF) (14) or BM with maternal CMP-free diet (2). Partial or complete resolution of symptoms occurred in all. There was histological evidence of an allergic reaction to CMP in all four infants in whom tissue was available. Recurrent episodes occurred in 13/50 infants (26 %), 10 of whom were receiving EHF. There were no recurrent episodes in infants being fed with AAF.
Conclusion: Features suggesting non-IgE-mediated CMPA appear common in infants with gastroschisis.