J Korean Med Sci.  2003 Aug;18(4):473-477. 10.3346/jkms.2003.18.4.473.

Prevalence of Soy Protein Hypersensitivity in Cow's Milk Protein-Sensitive Children in Korea

• Ahn KM
• Han YS
• Nam SY
• Park HY
• Shin MY
• Lee SI

• KMID: 648895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.4.473

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of soy protein hypersensitivity in cow's milk protein-sensitive children in Korea. A total of 1,363 patients with atopic dermatitis, urticaria, enterocolitis syndrome, bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis were recruited. First, we estimated the prevalence of sensitization to soy in children sensitized to cow's milk. Specific IgE levels > 0.7 kU/L by CAP assay were considered positive. Next, the prevalence of soy allergy in cow's milk allergy (CMA) patients was investigated. Those children whose parents agreed to participate the open challenge test with soy had a convincing history of allergic reactions elicited by cow's milk and these symptoms were relieved by elimination. All of them had negative soy-specific IgE. Patients with positive soy-specific IgE accounted for 18.3% of 224 children sensitized to cow's milk protein. The prevalence of sensitization to soy decreased with age (36.8% in the first year of life, 16.4% in the second year, and 13.7% in the third year). Of 21 CMA patients, 42.9% (n=9) were determined to have soy allergy (mean age 10.3 months). Our results suggest that soy protein formula should be carefully used as a substitute for cow's milk in CMA patients, especially during infancy.

Keyword

Hypersensitivity; Soybeans; Milk Hypersensitivity; Child; Korea; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Age Factors
Allergens
Asthma/immunology
Child
Child, Preschool
Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology
Enterocolitis/immunology
Female
Food Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology
Human
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E/blood/metabolism
Infant
Korea
Male
Milk Hypersensitivity/*epidemiology/immunology
Prevalence
Rhinitis/immunology
Soybean Proteins/*chemistry
Urticaria/immunology