Evaluation of the effectiveness of diet therapy in infants with gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy

Abstract

Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the diet therapy in infants with gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy to cow’s milk protein. Materials and methods. 126 bottlefed infants aged from 1 to 12 months were examined for mucosal immunity and bowel microbiota parameters. Results. The changes of intestinal microbiota with in creased of conditionally pathogenic species (Klebsiella, Proteus, Citrobacter spp., etc.) with normal rates of anaerobic bacteria (bifido- and lactobacilli spp.) were revealed. sIgA levels in coprofiltrates in infants with gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy were significantly reduced compared with the control group. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared with healthy children were obtained. Elevated levels of total IgE as well as allergen-specific IgE to cow’s milk proteins incoprofiltrates were estimated being the evidence of food sensitization. Using of adapted formulas based on the New Zealand goat milk with a complex of prebiotics in infants with gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy led to normalization of intestinal microflora with reducing of Enterobacteriaceae spp. colonization. Positive changes in mucosal immunity were observed: increase of sIgA levels, decrease of total and allergen-specific IgE and CRP levels in coprofiltrates. Conclusion. The study demonstrated the usefulness of adapted formulas based on the New Zealand goat milk with a complex of prebiotics as diet therapy in infants with gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy.