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Moak R, Boone N, Eidson N, Rohrer A, Engevik M, Williams K, Chetta K. Exploring the links between necrotizing enterocolitis and cow's milk protein allergy in preterm infants: a narrative review. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1274146. [PMID: 38027265 PMCID: PMC10663262 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1274146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A broad range of allergic disorders and intolerance are associated with cow's milk protein in the infant diet. Allergy and intolerance to cow's milk proteins are commonly recognized in the healthy term infant, and the prevalence cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) varies widely but 5 challenge confirmed studies free from selection bias ranged from 1.9%-4.9%. These disorders are classified by the presence of IgE, non-IgE or T-cell-mediated signaling. Additionally, the severity of these adverse food reactions can range from mild gastrointestinal symptoms to severe sepsis-like episodes, as in the case of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). Food protein-induced intolerance in the healthy young infant lies in stark contrast to enterocolitis that typically occurs in the preterm neonate. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a distinct progressive disease process, usually characterized by a high mortality rate, with a risk of death from 30% to 50%. While its exact etiology is unclear, its main triggers include formula (cow's milk protein), hypoxia, perfusion-related issues, and unregulated inflammation in the premature intestine. The distinction between NEC and cow's milk protein intolerance is difficult to discern in some cases. In the late preterm population, infants with colitis can have both NEC and cow's milk intolerance on the differential. In infants with multiple episodes of mild NEC, cow's milk protein intolerance may be the underlying diagnosis. In this review, we compare the pathophysiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of cow's milk protein intolerance with the entity of preterm NEC. This review highlights similarities in both entities and may inspire future cross-disciplinary research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Moak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Neal Boone
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Natalie Eidson
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Allison Rohrer
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mindy Engevik
- Department of Regenerative Medicine & Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kelli Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Katherine Chetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- C.P. Darby Children’s Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Charleston, SC, United States
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Burris AD, Burris J, Järvinen KM. Cow's Milk Protein Allergy in Term and Preterm Infants: Clinical Manifestations, Immunologic Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies. Neoreviews 2020; 21:e795-e808. [PMID: 33262206 DOI: 10.1542/neo.21-12-e795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cow's milk allergy is a common food allergy among infants. Symptoms of cow's milk allergy are wide-ranging and depend on the mechanism involved. There are immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated, non-IgE-mediated, and mixed mechanisms of food allergy. Symptoms of IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy may be mild or may progress to anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Non-IgE-mediated allergy includes food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP), food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, food protein-induced enteropathy, and Heiner syndrome (pulmonary hemosiderosis). These diagnoses comprise about half of all cow's milk allergies. The most common manifestation of cow's milk allergy in infants is FPIAP. FPIAP is commonly seen in healthy, full-term infants who present with rectal bleeding and are otherwise well-appearing. This can occur in both formula-fed and exclusively breastfed infants. Food proteins secreted in maternal breast milk can contribute to the development of these symptoms. Maternal cow's milk elimination diet is often successful in helping resolve symptoms. A period of reintroduction of cow's milk resulting in re-emergence of symptoms in stable asymptomatic infants is an excellent diagnostic tool to confirm a cow's milk allergy. Preterm infants are susceptible to food allergy, as demonstrated from several case reports of necrotizing enterocolitis-like illnesses that responded clinically to cow's milk elimination. Further study is needed about food allergy in the preterm infant population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D Burris
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Center for Food Allergy, and
| | - Jonathan Burris
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and Golisano Children's Hospital, Rochester, NY
| | - Kirsi M Järvinen
- Division of Allergy and Immunology and Center for Food Allergy, and
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