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Children
who are allergic to cow's milk may have weaker bones than
kids with other food allergies, a small study suggests.
Cow's milk allergy is the most common childhood food allergy
in the United States, affecting up to 3 percent of children,
the researchers said. The main treatment is elimination of
cow's milk and dairy products -- which are major sources of
the calcium kids need to build strong bones. This new study
detected low bone density in 6 percent of 52 children with a
long-term milk allergy. "Prepubertal children with
persistent cow's milk allergy have a lower bone mineral
density and calcium intake compared with similarly aged
children with food allergies other than cow's milk," study
co-author said. The study findings don't show a direct
cause-and-effect link between milk allergy and low bone
density. And the difference in bone density observed in the
study wasn't significant enough, on average, to worry about
fractures, said one pediatric expert not involved with the
research. But the findings merit attention, he added. Most
kids with cow's milk allergy -- up to 87 percent -- outgrow
it by about 3 years of age. However, recent reports find it
persists in about 15 percent of those affected until they
are teens, the study authors noted. For the study, they
recruited 81 pre-puberty-stage children with food allergies.
Fifty-two had cow's milk allergy, while 29 had allergies to
foods other than milk. The kids' average age was close to 7
years old. The researchers measured the kids' bone mineral
density using standard testing. They also took blood samples
to assess levels of vitamin D, crucial for bone health. In
addition, they recorded calcium and vitamin D intake and
tracked compliance in those advised to take supplements.
While low bone mineral density was found in 6 percent of
those with cow's milk allergies, none of those in the other
group had low bone density, the researchers said. The
children with cow's milk allergies also had lower average
calcium intake -- 930 milligrams (mg) a day compared to
1,435 in the other group. Recommended daily intake is 1,000
mg. Vitamin D intake in both groups was well below the
recommended 600 International Units (IUs) a day. Few with
the cow's milk allergies took supplements -- 37 percent
reported taking calcium and 44 percent reported taking
vitamin D. However, those who did take a supplement averaged
more than five days a week, which was termed good
compliance, according to the study. The study is published
online April 20 in the journal Pediatrics. Prior research
has shown that children who don't reach peak bone mass have
a higher risk of the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis in
later life, the study authors noted. "Parents should
encourage the intake of alternate sources of calcium in
their children's diet," study author added, suggesting soy,
almond or rice milk and orange juice fortified with calcium.
Parents can also have a dietitian evaluate their child's
diet, and find out how to increase calcium and vitamin D
intake, she said. Also, a bone density scan could be
considered if indicated, she said. |