Risks and benefits of oral immunotherapy for IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy

Methods We study 23 children with CMA that met the following criteria: clinical history of IgE-mediated CMA in the last 6 months and specific IgE (sIgE) for cow’s milk (CM) ≥ 15 kU/L (> 2 years) or ≥ 5 kU/L (< 2 years). On study entry, basal serum levels for sIgE for CM and casein plus sIgG4 for casein were obtained. The study was divided into 2 stages. In the first 12 months, patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner to placebo or active OIT. At the end of the first 12 months period, patients submitted to milk double-blind placebocontrolled food challenge (DBPCFC). The study was unblinded in this time and patients on the placebo group started on a 24 months active OIT period. Children on active OIT completed 12 more months of treatment. sIgE for CM and casein and sIgG4 for casein were obtained throughout the study.