Double-blind cow's milk challenge in children in general hospitals
Hoekstra MO, Meijer Y, Pasmans SG, Knulst AC.
Afd. Dermatologie, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht, Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis, Centrum voor Kinderallergologie, Postbus 85.090, 3508 AB Utrecht.
m.o.hoekstra@umcutrecht.nlEvery child with possible food allergies has the right to a double-blind, placebo-controlled cow's milk challenge. This test can be performed in the paediatric ward of a non-academic hospital. Challenge with other foodstuffs can lead to more serious side effects and therefore should be considered in a general hospital setting only after extensive experience with double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge for cow's milk has been obtained. Other items of international discussion on double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge in children are: the natural development of tolerance for cow's milk, IgE- versus non-IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy, and the exacerbation of pre-existing eczema during and after double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Jun 10;150(23):1278-80.