Cross-over clinical trial for evaluating the safety of camel's milk intake in patients who are allergic to cow's milk protein.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects between 0.6 and 0.9% of the general population, and its treatment implies the total elimination of the intake of this protein. Camel's milk has been suggested as an alternative for patients over one year of age who suffer from CMPA due to the difference in the amino acid sequence from that of cow's milk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of camel's milk in children with CMPA. METHODS: Crossed clinical trial for the use of camel's milk vs. amino acid formula, carried out at the Dr. Federico Gómez Children's Hospital of Mexico (HIMFG) on patients between one and 18 years of age with diagnosed CMPA confirmed through double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs). Only those whose allergies were confirmed were randomly placed into two groups: those to be administered camel's milk and those to be administered the amino-acid formula for two weeks, followed by a six-week wash-out period, and then a group crossing for a further two weeks. RESULTS: 49 patients with suspected CMPA were included in the study; the diagnosis was confirmed through DBPCFCs in 15 patients, who were those who participated in the study. After having been administered camel's milk, none of the patients presented adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Camel's milk is safe and tolerable in patients above one year of age with CMPA and can be considered as a good alternative given the benefit of its taste compared to other formulas.

Factors associated with allergic rhinitis in children from northern Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire allows users to find factors associated with allergic diseases, but thus far most of the studies on risk factors for allergic diseases have been devoted to asthma and not to rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the main factors associated with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in school children and adolescents in northern Mexico City. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross sectional, multicenter survey was conducted in northern Mexico City, in children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years. The survey instrument was the Phase Three B ISAAC questionnaire, which was validated and standardized in Spanish. RESULTS: There were 4106 6-7-year-olds and 6576 13-14-year-olds. The total prevalence of diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was 4.6%. The prevalence of cumulative and current symptoms of rhinitis was considered high (>29%), but the prevalence of the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was considered low (ranging from 3.4% to 5.6%). The prevalence of symptoms of rhinitis with conjunctivitis had intermediate values (ranging from 20.3% to 30.2%). Cumulative symptoms of allergic rhinitis, current symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and rhinoconjunctivitis were related to symptoms of current or cumulative asthma, symptoms of current or cumulative atopic eczema, and current use of paracetamol (odds ratio > 1, P < .05). CONCLUSION: The present results support the concept of rhinitis and asthma as common chronic respiratory diseases, and this study also found a relation between paracetamol use and rhinitis in children.