eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Gastroenterology

Protein Intolerance

Author: Agostino Nocerino, MD, PhD, Chief of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Udine, Italy
Coauthor(s): Stefano Guandalini, MD, Director, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program, Section Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 25, 2009

Introduction

Background

Many food proteins can act as antigens in humans. Cow's milk proteins are most frequently implicated as a cause of food intolerance during infancy. Soybean protein ranks second as an antigen in the first months of life, particularly in infants with primary cow's milk intolerance who are placed on a soy formula. From school age on, egg protein intolerance becomes more prevalent.

Several clinical reactions to food proteins have been reported in children and adults. Only a few of these have a clear allergic immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated pathogenesis. For this reason, the term "food protein intolerance" is usually preferred to "food protein allergy," in order to include all offending specific reactions to food proteins, no matter the pathogenesis. In children, GI symptoms are generally most common, with a frequency ranging from 50-80%, followed by cutaneous symptoms (20-40%), and respiratory symptoms (4-25%).

Pathophysiology

The major food allergens are water-soluble glycoproteins (molecular weight [MW], 10,000-60,000) that are resistant to heat, acid, and enzymes. The GI tract is permeable to intact antigens. The antigen uptake is an endocytotic process that involves intracellular lysosomes. Some antigens can move through intercellular gaps; however, the penetration of antigens through the mucosal barrier is not usually associated with clinical symptoms. Under normal circumstances, food antigen exposure via the GI tract results in a local immunoglobulin A (IgA) response and in an activation of suppressor CD8+ lymphocytes that reside in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (oral tolerance).

In some children who are genetically susceptible, or for other as-of-yet-unknown reasons, oral tolerance does not develop, and different immunologic and inflammatory mechanisms can be elicited. Whether nonimmunologic mechanisms can have a role in the development of specific intolerances to food proteins is still disputed.

Some evidence suggests that reduced microbial exposure during infancy and early childhood result in a slower postnatal maturation of the immune system and delay in the progression to an optimal balance between TH 1 and TH 2 immunity (hygiene hypothesis), which is crucial to the clinical expression of allergy and asthma. Genetic variations in receptors for bacterial products are likely to be related to allergic sensitizations. On the other hand, intestinal infections may increase paracellular permeability, allowing the absorption of food proteins without epithelial processing. As a consequence, infectious exposures can be an important contributory factor in the pathogenesis of food protein allergies.

Antigen uptake has been found to be increased in children with gastroenteritis and with cow's milk allergy.

Food protein intolerance can be IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated. Local production and systemic distribution of specific reaginic IgE plays a significant role in IgE-mediated reactions to food proteins.

Morphologic studies have demonstrated the role of GI T lymphocytes (ie, intraepithelial lymphocytes) in the pathogenesis of GI food allergy. The pathogenetic role of the eosinophils in food-induced eosinophilic GI diseases has not been defined. Vast evidence describes the occurrence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) food protein antibodies. However, their actual role in the pathogenesis of clinically relevant symptoms is, at best, doubtful.

Cow's milk contains more than 20 protein fractions. In the curd, 4 caseins (ie, S1, S2, S3, S4) can be identified that account for about 80% of the milk proteins. The remaining 20% of the proteins, essentially globular proteins (eg, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin), are contained in the whey. Casein is often considered poorly immunogenic because of its flexible, noncompact structure. Historically, lactoglobulin has been accepted as the major allergen in cow's milk protein intolerance. However, polysensitization to several proteins is observed in about 75% of patients with allergy to cow's milk protein.

The proteins most frequently and most intensively recognized by specific IgE are the lactoglobulin and the casein fraction. However, all milk proteins appear to be potential allergens, even those that are present in milk in trace amounts (eg, serum bovine albumin, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin). In each allergen, numerous epitopes can be recognized by specific IgE presence.

Cow's milk proteins introduced with maternal diet can be transferred to the human milk. Many studies have focused on the presence of bovine lactoglobulin throughout human lactation. 

The table below reports a classification of different clinical presentations of food intolerance in children, based on their presumptive underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Classification of Main Adverse Reactions to Food

Open table in new window

Table
Type of ReactionPathogenesisClinical Entities
Non–immune-mediated

Disorders of digestive-absorptive processes

Glucose-galactose malabsorption, lactase deficiency, sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, enterokinase deficiency

Pharmacological reactions

Tyramine in aged cheeses, histamine (eg, in strawberries, caffeine)

Idiosyncratic reactions

Food additives, food colorants

Inborn errors of metabolism

Phenylketonuria, hereditary fructose intolerance, tyrosinemia, galactosemia, lysinuric protein intolerance

Immune-mediated (food allergy)

IgE-mediated (positive radioallergosorbent test or skin prick test results)

Oral allergy syndrome, immediate GI hypersensitivity

Occasionally IgE-mediated

Eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Non–IgE-mediated

Food protein–induced entities, such as enterocolitis, enteropathy, proctocolitis, chronic constipation

Autoimmune

Innate and adaptive immunity

Celiac disease

Type of ReactionPathogenesisClinical Entities
Non–immune-mediated

Disorders of digestive-absorptive processes

Glucose-galactose malabsorption, lactase deficiency, sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, enterokinase deficiency

Pharmacological reactions

Tyramine in aged cheeses, histamine (eg, in strawberries, caffeine)

Idiosyncratic reactions

Food additives, food colorants

Inborn errors of metabolism

Phenylketonuria, hereditary fructose intolerance, tyrosinemia, galactosemia, lysinuric protein intolerance

Immune-mediated (food allergy)

IgE-mediated (positive radioallergosorbent test or skin prick test results)

Oral allergy syndrome, immediate GI hypersensitivity

Occasionally IgE-mediated

Eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Non–IgE-mediated

Food protein–induced entities, such as enterocolitis, enteropathy, proctocolitis, chronic constipation

Autoimmune

Innate and adaptive immunity

Celiac disease

Frequency

United States

In a national survey of pediatric allergists, the prevalence rate of cow's milk allergy was reported to be 3.4%, whereas the prevalence rate of soy protein allergy was 1.1%. During the 10-year period of 1997-2006, food allergy rates significantly increased among both preschool-aged and older children.1 In 2007, the reported food allergy rate among all children younger than 18 years was 18% higher than in 1997.

International

Incidence of food allergy in children has been variously estimated at 0.3-8%, and the incidence decreases with age. Food allergies affect 6-8% of infants younger than 2 years. In a cohort of 1,749 newborns from the municipality of Odense in Denmark who were prospectively monitored for the development of cow's milk protein intolerance during the first year of life, a 1-year incidence of 2.2% was reported.2

Varying incidences of specific intolerances have been reported in different countries. Whether these differences are due to genetic or cultural factors is unclear.3

Mortality/Morbidity

Most of the cases of food protein intolerance can be resolved with dietary management. A few cases of severe anaphylactic reactions to food proteins have been reported. A report from the United Kingdom suggests an incidence of 0.22 severe cases per 100.000 children per year (15% of cases were fatal or near fatal).4

Race

No race predilection has been observed.

Sex

No sex predilection is known, but males are slightly more frequently affected with eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

Age

Food allergy is mainly a problem in infancy and early childhood. Cow's milk allergy or intolerance usually develops in early infancy. In most of the cases, the onset of symptoms is closely related to the time of introduction of formula based on cow's milk.

In a prospective study from Norway, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis in the first 2 years was 18.6% with no significant difference between preterm and term children. Adverse reactions to food were found in 15.8% (a similar prevalence in premature and term children). Mode of delivery did not affect prevalence of atopic dermatitis.5

Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infan...

Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infant.

Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infan...

Typical atopic dermatitis on the face of an infant.



An unselected prospective study indicated that 42% of infants who developed cow's milk protein intolerance were symptomatic within 7 days (70% within 4 wk) following the introduction of cow's milk.1 Cow's milk protein intolerance has been diagnosed in 1.9-2.8% of general populations of infants aged 2 years or younger in different countries of northern Europe, but incidence fell to approximately 0.3% in children older than 3 years.

Protein intolerance is generally believed to remit by age 5 years, when the infant's mucosal immune system matures and the child becomes immunologically tolerant of milk proteins; in most affected children, symptoms resolve by age 1-2 years. However, cow's milk protein intolerance may persist or may initially manifest in older children, demonstrating characteristic endoscopic and histopathologic features; it occasionally recurs in adults.

Clinical

History

Numerous symptoms can be a consequence of food protein intolerance. GI manifestations are the most common clinical presentation, usually without involvement of other organ systems. Most cases of food protein intolerance in the pediatric population occur in the first months of life as a consequence of cow's milk protein intolerance.

The typical history is that of an infant younger than 6 months who is fed for a few weeks with formula and who then develops diarrhea and, eventually, vomiting. In the case of the common enterocolitis syndrome, the infant can become dehydrated and lose weight. In the rare instance of cow's milk enteropathy, a malabsorption syndrome develops, with growth failure and hypoalbuminemia. On the other hand, the common food-induced proctocolitis syndrome is characterized by diarrhea in a healthy infant without any weight loss.

Food allergic reactions may be divided into quick-onset reactions, which occur within an hour of food ingestion and are usually IgE-mediated (eg, skin rashes, urticaria, angioedema, wheezing, anaphylaxis), and slow-onset reactions, which take hours or days to develop and are usually non–IgE-mediated.

The most common and specific symptoms of food protein intolerance are as follows:

  • GI symptoms
    • Oral allergy syndrome: Oral allergy syndrome is a form of IgE-mediated contact allergy that is almost exclusively confined to the oropharynx and is most commonly associated with the ingestion of various fresh fruits and vegetables. Oral allergy syndrome mainly affects adults who have pollen allergy (especially to ragweed, birch, and mugwort). Symptoms include itching; burning; and angioedema of the lips, tongue, palate, and throat. The clinical picture is usually short-lived, but symptoms may be more prominent after the ragweed season.
    • Immediate GI hypersensitivity: GI anaphylaxis is defined as an IgE-mediated GI reaction that often accompanies allergic manifestations in other organs, such as the skin or lungs. Bioptic samples show a significant decrease in stainable mast cells and tissue histamine after the challenge. The reaction usually occurs within minutes to 2 hours of food ingestion. Within 1-2 hours, the patient develops nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. After 2 hours, diarrhea ensues. In children with atopic eczema and food allergy, subclinical reactions have been described. Poor appetite, poor weight gain, and intermittent abdominal pain are frequent symptoms.
    • Eosinophilic esophagitis: Esophageal eosinophilia that persists despite traditional antireflux therapy may represent a sign of allergic esophagitis. Allergic eosinophilic esophagitis occurs in children and adults but rarely occurs in infants and is characterized by chronic esophagitis, with or without reflux. Affected children present with intermittent vomiting (usually in older children), food refusal (mainly in children <2 y), abdominal pain in adolescents, dysphagia, and failure to respond to conventional reflux medications. Occasionally, esophageal strictures develop. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic disease with less than 10% of the population developing tolerance to their food allergies.6
    • Eosinophilic gastritis: Eosinophilic gastritis that is responsive to elimination diets has occasionally been reported. Symptoms and signs are those usual for gastritis of different etiologies, such as postprandial vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, early satiety, and failure to thrive. Approximately half of these patients have atopic features.
    • Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an ill-defined disease that is pathologically characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils in the mucosa of the GI tract. The syndrome has been reported in children of all ages. Diagnosis requires symptoms related to the GI tract and a bioptic sample showing an eosinophilic infiltration. Unfortunately, no clear-cut line can be drawn to distinguish eosinophilic gastroenteritis from other GI diseases and from nonpathologic eosinophilic infiltration of the lower intestine.
    • Food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome
      • Food protein–induced enterocolitis syndrome describes a symptom complex of profuse vomiting and diarrhea diagnosed in infancy, involving both the small and the large intestine.
      • Food-induced enterocolitis syndrome occurs most frequently in the first months of life. Most cases are observed in infants younger than 3 months.
      • Cow's milk and soy protein are most often responsible.
      • Symptoms include protracted vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting generally occurs 1-3 hours after feeding, and diarrhea occurs 5-8 hours after feeding.
      • Specific descriptions of the histologic findings are not available because the diagnosis can be made clinically. Some small bowel specimens show mild villous injury with inflammatory infiltration, whereas colonic specimens reveal crypt abscesses and a diffuse inflammatory infiltrate.
      • A similar enterocolitis syndrome has been reported in older infants and children as a consequence of intolerance to different food proteins (eg, eggs, fish, nuts, peanuts, other proteins). Rice can induce severe cases of enterocolitis.7
    • Food-induced enteropathy: Cow's milk proteins and soy proteins can cause an uncommon syndrome of chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and failure to thrive, similar to that appearing in celiac disease. Vomiting is present in up to two thirds of patients. Small bowel biopsy findings reveal an enteropathy of variable degrees with villous hypotrophy. Total mucosal atrophy, histologically indistinguishable from celiac disease, is a frequent finding. Intestinal protein and blood losses can aggravate the hypoalbuminemia and anemia that are frequently observed in this syndrome. The nonceliac food-induced enteropathy has been less frequent and less severe in the last 25 years. More recent cases described patients who presented with patchy intestinal lesions. Usually, the syndrome affects infants in the first months of life.
    • Gluten-sensitive enteropathy: See Celiac Disease.
    • Protein-losing enteropathy: Protein-losing enteropathy is a common finding in children with cow's milk protein intolerance. Some infants can present with pronounced protein-losing symptoms after introduction of cow's milk.
    • Food-induced proctocolitis: Food-induced proctocolitis usually occurs in the first few months of life. Cow's milk and soy proteins are most often responsible, but 60% of reported infants were exclusively breastfed. In most of the latter cases, a strict maternal diet (including the elimination of all cow's milk–based products from their diets) can resolve the problem. Symptoms include diarrhea and blood in the stools. Affected infants generally appear healthy and have normal weight gain. The onset of bleeding is gradual and initially erratic over several days. It then progresses to streaks of blood in most stools that can elicit suspicion of an internal anal tear. Bowel lesions are generally confined to the distal large bowel.
    • Food allergy-induced gastroesophageal reflux: Dietary antigens can induce gastroesophageal reflux, mainly in infancy. The picture is usually accompanied by low-grade enteropathy, with food adversive behavior (sometimes with failure to thrive), prolonged viral infections, irritability, and prolonged viral infections. The frequent finding on esophageal biopsy is mucosal eosinophilia.
    • Chronic constipation due to cow's milk intolerance: Chronic constipation as the sole symptom of intolerance to cow's milk was described in 1993. However, chronic constipation was not considered a feature of cow's milk intolerance until 1998, when an Italian study hypothesized that intolerance to cow's milk can cause severe perianal lesions with pain upon defecation and subsequent constipation in young children.8 An allergic colitis, with resolution of the symptoms after removal of milk from the diet, was subsequently demonstrated in 4 newborns with constipation. Therefore, in a small subgroup of children with constipation, cow's milk protein intolerance can be the cause of symptoms.
    • Infantile colic
      • Infantile colic is the usual name given to a prolonged pattern of crying or fussing in infants, even if the pathophysiology of this distressing behavior has not yet been elucidated. Numerous theories on the pathogenesis have been published, and many, often conflicting, therapeutic approaches have been suggested.
      • Cow's milk intolerance has been implicated as a cause of colic, at least in some formula-fed infants. Some studies have suggested that an elimination diet that substitutes cow's milk formula with a soy-based formula or a protein-hydrolysate can relieve the symptoms of infantile colic in a significant percentage of cases. In these infants, challenge with cow's milk proteins usually causes a recrudescence of the crying crises. The infants who respond to the elimination diet are usually those with more prolonged crying crises, and they often have a familial history of allergy. Most often, other signs of cow's milk protein intolerance develop in the following weeks or months.
      • Studies including a selected population of infants report percentages of responses to the elimination diet to be as high as 89%. One blind study showed that 18% of infants with colic improved with soy formula, whereas 0% improved in another blind study. Moreover, in most of the responsive infants, the duration of the effect is not sustained, despite an ongoing elimination diet. In any case, true food protein intolerance can only be demonstrated in a small subgroup of infants with colic.
    • Allergic dysmotility: In older children, milk protein intolerance can induce chronic abdominal pain, with an endoscopic finding of lymphonodular hyperplasia.9
    • Multiple food protein intolerance of infancy: Some infants are intolerant to cow's milk proteins, soy, extensively hydrolyzed formulas, and a wide range of other food proteins. Most of these children develop symptoms while they are receiving only breast milk. Symptoms remit after feeding with an elemental amino acid–based complete infant formula.
  • Dermatologic symptoms
    • Symptoms include urticaria, angioedema, rashes, and atopic eczema.
    • Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common symptoms of protein intolerance. Approximately one third of children with atopic dermatitis have a diagnosis of cow's milk protein allergy and cow's milk protein intolerance, according to elimination diet and challenge tests, and about 20-40% of children younger than 1 year with protein intolerance have atopic dermatitis. Most children with atopic dermatitis and protein intolerance develop a complete tolerance in a few years.
    • Umbilical and periumbilical erythema has been related to cow’s milk protein intolerance in a group of 384 Italian infants; this bizarre sign was observed in 36 cases (9.4%), disappeared within the second week on elimination diet, and reappeared within 24 hours after challenge.10
  • Respiratory symptoms: These symptoms include rhinitis and asthma.
  • General symptoms: Anaphylaxis due to cow's milk protein intolerance is a rare but well-described event. The child, usually a young infant, suddenly becomes pale and cold and sweats. The child usually presents with urticaria or angioedema and goes into shock within minutes after milk ingestion. Anaphylaxis following ingestion of soy protein is exceptionally rare, even though a survey in Sweden identified 4 cases of death caused by soy protein anaphylaxis.11
  • Nonspecific symptoms: Many more nonspecific GI reactions have been ascribed to food allergy, including oral aphthae, pyloric stenosis, and bowel edema and obstruction. For most of these manifestations, a clear correlation with an immune reaction to foods has never been established.

Physical

Usually, the GI manifestations are isolated, without any sign of atopic dermatitis, urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or wheezing.

  • In proctocolitis syndrome, the child (usually a young infant) appears healthy, without any weight loss or other physical problems.
  • In food-induced GI anaphylaxis, these symptoms (eg, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, wheezing) can occur, and, therefore, the child must be checked for the presence of systemic signs of allergic reaction.
  • The infant with enterocolitis syndrome can be dehydrated as a consequence of diarrhea, vomiting, or both. Signs of dehydration include blunted eyes, dry mucous membranes, and hypoelastic skin.
  • In the unusual instances of nonceliac food-induced enteropathy, infants present with signs and symptoms of malabsorption syndrome. Dystrophy, growth failure, edema (hypoalbuminemia), rickets (vitamin D malabsorption), and hemorrhages (vitamin K malabsorption) can all be present.

Causes

Many food proteins can act as an antigen in humans. Cow's milk proteins are most frequently implicated as a cause of food intolerance during infancy. Soybean protein is the second most frequent antigen in the first months of life, particularly in infants with primary cow's milk intolerance.

More on Protein Intolerance

Overview: Protein Intolerance
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Protein Intolerance
Treatment & Medication: Protein Intolerance
Follow-up: Protein Intolerance
Multimedia: Protein Intolerance
References

References

  1. Branum AM, Lukacs SL. Food allergy among U.S. children: trends in prevalence and hospitalizations. NCHS Data Brief. Oct 2008;(10):1-8. [Medline].

  2. Assa'ad A. Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. Allergy Asthma Proc. Jan-Feb 2009;30(1):17-22. [Medline].

  3. Hill DJ, Hosking CS, Heine RG. Clinical spectrum of food allergy in children in Australia and South-East Asia: identification and targets for treatment. Ann Med. Aug 1999;31(4):272-81. [Medline].

  4. Colver AF, Nevantaus H, Macdougall CF, Cant AJ. Severe food-allergic reactions in children across the UK and Ireland, 1998-2000. Acta Paediatr. Jun 2005;94(6):689-95. [Medline].

  5. [Best Evidence] Kvenshagen B, Jacobsen M, Halvorsen R. Atopic dermatitis in premature and term children. Arch Dis Child. Mar 2009;94(3):202-5. [Medline].

  6. Ozdemir O, Mete E, Catal F, Ozol D. Food intolerances and eosinophilic esophagitis in childhood. Dig Dis Sci. Jan 2009;54(1):8-14. [Medline].

  7. Mehr SS, Kakakios AM, Kemp AS. Rice: a common and severe cause of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. Arch Dis Child. Mar 2009;94(3):220-3. [Medline].

  8. Host A, Halken S, Jacobsen HP, Christensen AE, Herskind AM, Plesner K. Clinical course of cow's milk protein allergy/intolerance and atopic diseases in childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2002;13 Suppl 15:23-8. [Medline].

  9. Kokkonen J, Tikkanen S, Karttunen TJ, Savilahti E. A similar high level of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G class milk antibodies and increment of local lymphoid tissue on the duodenal mucosa in subjects with cow's milk allergy and recurrent abdominal pains. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Apr 2002;13(2):129-36. [Medline].

  10. Walker WA. Cow's milk protein-sensitive enteropathy at school age: a new entity or a spectrum of mucosal immune responses with age. J Pediatr. Dec 2001;139(6):765-6. [Medline].

  11. Iacono G, Cavataio F, Montalto G, et al. Intolerance of cow's milk and chronic constipation in children. N Engl J Med. Oct 15 1998;339(16):1100-4. [Medline].

  12. Lack G. Clinical practice. Food allergy. N Engl J Med. Sep 18 2008;359(12):1252-60. [Medline].

  13. Kull I, Bergstrom A, Lilja G, Pershagen G, Wickman M. Fish consumption during the first year of life and development of allergic diseases during childhood. Allergy. Aug 2006;61(8):1009-15. [Medline].

  14. [Guideline] Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW. Effects of early nutritional interventions on the development of atopic disease in infants and children: the role of maternal dietary restriction, breastfeeding, timing of introduction of complementary foods, and hydrolyzed formulas. Pediatrics. Jan 2008;121(1):183-91. [Medline].

  15. Iacono G, Di Prima L, D'Amico D, Scalici C, Geraci G, Carroccio A. The "red umbilicus": a diagnostic sign of cow's milk protein intolerance. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. May 2006;42(5):531-4. [Medline].

  16. Foucard T, Malmheden Yman I. A study on severe food reactions in Sweden--is soy protein an underestimated cause of food anaphylaxis?. Allergy. Mar 1999;54(3):261-5. [Medline].

  17. [Best Evidence] Osborn DA, Sinn J. Soy formula for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Oct 18 2006;CD003741. [Medline].

  18. Axelsson I, Jakobsson I, Lindberg T, Benediktsson B. Bovine beta-lactoglobulin in the human milk. A longitudinal study during the whole lactation period. Acta Paediatr Scand. Sep 1986;75(5):702-7. [Medline].

  19. Blackshaw AJ, Levison DA. Eosinophilic infiltrates of the gastrointestinal tract. J Clin Pathol. Jan 1986;39(1):1-7. [Medline].

  20. Bock SA. Evaluation of IgE-mediated food hypersensitivities. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S20-7. [Medline].

  21. Carroccio A, Montalto G, Custro N, et al. Evidence of very delayed clinical reactions to cow's milk in cow's milk-intolerant patients. Allergy. Jun 2000;55(6):574-9. [Medline].

  22. Dupont C, Heyman M. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: laboratory perspectives. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S50-7. [Medline].

  23. Hill DJ, Firer MA, Shelton MJ, Hosking CS. Manifestations of milk allergy in infancy: clinical and immunologic findings. J Pediatr. Aug 1986;109(2):270-6. [Medline].

  24. Hill DJ, Heine RG, Cameron DJ, Francis DE, Bines JE. The natural history of intolerance to soy and extensively hydrolyzed formula in infants with multiple food protein intolerance. J Pediatr. Jul 1999;135(1):118-21. [Medline].

  25. Kalliomaki M, Salminen S, Poussa T, Isolauri E. Probiotics during the first 7 years of life: a cumulative risk reduction of eczema in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 2007;119(4):1019-21. [Medline].

  26. Kelly KJ. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S28-35. [Medline].

  27. Kelly KJ, Lazenby AJ, Rowe PC, Yardley JH, Perman JA, Sampson HA. Eosinophilic esophagitis attributed to gastroesophageal reflux: improvement with an amino acid-based formula. Gastroenterology. Nov 1995;109(5):1503-12. [Medline].

  28. Kokkonen J, Haapalahti M, Laurila K, Karttunen TJ, Maki M. Cow's milk protein-sensitive enteropathy at school age. J Pediatr. Dec 2001;139(6):797-803. [Medline].

  29. Kokkonen J, Karttunen TJ, Niinimäki A. Lymphonodular hyperplasia as a sign of food allergy in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Jul 1999;29(1):57-62. [Medline].

  30. Kukkonen K, Savilahti E, Haahtela T, et al. Probiotics and prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in the prevention of allergic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jan 2007;119(1):192-8. [Medline].

  31. Lake AM. Food-induced eosinophilic proctocolitis. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S58-60. [Medline].

  32. Lake AM, Whitington PF, Hamilton SR. Dietary protein-induced colitis in breast-fed infants. J Pediatr. Dec 1982;101(6):906-10. [Medline].

  33. Leung AK. Food allergy: a clinical approach. Adv Pediatr. 1998;45:145-77. [Medline].

  34. Liacouras CA, Ruchelli E. Eosinophilic esophagitis. Curr Opin Pediatr. Oct 2004;16(5):560-6. [Medline].

  35. Lindberg T. Infantile colic: aetiology and prognosis. Acta Paediatr. Jan 2000;89(1):1-2. [Medline].

  36. Lowichik A, Weinberg AG. A quantitative evaluation of mucosal eosinophils in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract. Mod Pathol. Feb 1996;9(2):110-4. [Medline].

  37. Mehr S, Kakakios A, Frith K, Kemp AS. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: 16-year experience. Pediatrics. Mar 2009;123(3):e459-64. [Medline].

  38. Murch S. Food allergies. In: Guandalini S. Ed. Textbook of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. London: Taylor & Francis; 2004.

  39. Niggemann B, Beyer K. Pitfalls in double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges. Allergy. Jul 2007;62(7):729-32. [Medline].

  40. Noel RJ, Putnam PE, Rothenberg ME. Eosinophilic esophagitis. N Engl J Med. Aug 26 2004;351(9):940-1. [Medline].

  41. Novembre E, Vierucci A. Milk allergy/intolerance and atopic dermatitis in infancy and childhood. Allergy. 2001;56 Suppl 67:105-8. [Medline].

  42. Osborn DA, Sinn J. Formulas containing hydrolysed protein for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;CD003664. [Medline].

  43. Sampson HA, Anderson JA. Summary and recommendations: Classification of gastrointestinal manifestations due to immunologic reactions to foods in infants and young children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S87-94. [Medline].

  44. Sicherer SH. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: clinical perspectives. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S45-9. [Medline].

  45. Szajewska H, Setty M, Mrukowicz J, Guandalini S. Probiotics in gastrointestinal diseases in children: hard and not-so-hard evidence of efficacy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. May 2006;42(5):454-75. [Medline].

  46. Taylor AL, Dunstan JA, Prescott SL. Probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life fails to reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis and increases the risk of allergen sensitization in high-risk children: a randomized controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Jan 2007;119(1):184-91. [Medline].

  47. Tlaskalova-Hogenova H, Tuckova L, Lodinova-Zadnikova R, et al. Mucosal immunity: its role in defense and allergy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. Jun 2002;128(2):77-89. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

protein intolerance, food allergy, food-protein intolerance, food protein intolerance, food-protein allergy, cow's milk intolerance, cow's milk allergy, egg intolerance, egg allergy, soy intolerance, soy allergy, cow's milk protein, food allergens, immunoglobulin E–mediated pathogenesis, asthma, gastroenteritis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, enterocolitis syndrome, cow's milk enteropathy, malabsorption syndrome, growth failure, hypoalbuminemia, proctocolitis syndrome, urticaria, angioedema, pollen allergy, oral allergy syndrome, GI anaphylaxis, esophageal eosinophilia, allergic esophagitis, chronic esophagitis, esophageal strictures, eosinophilic gastritis, celiac disease, protein-losing enteropathy, infantile colic, atopic dermatitis, oral aphthae, pyloric stenosis, bowel edema, bowel obstruction, treatment, diagnosis

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Agostino Nocerino, MD, PhD, Chief of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Udine, Italy
Agostino Nocerino, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Stefano Guandalini, MD, Director, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program, Section Chief of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital
Stefano Guandalini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Chris A Liacouras, MD, Director of Pediatric Endoscopy, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Associate Professor, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania
Chris A Liacouras, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner

Managing Editor

David A Piccoli, MD, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
David A Piccoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF, Professor of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Downstate, SUNY-Downstate Medical Center
Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, AGAF is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physician Executives, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, Gastroenterology Research Group, New York Academy of Medicine, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: TAP Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Curemark, LLC Consulting fee Board membership; Centocor, Inc. Grant/research funds Independent contractor

Chief Editor

Carmen Cuffari, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.