ESPE Abstracts

Objectives and Study: To compare the bone mineral density (BMD) between children with cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) and those who are healthy as control subjects

Methods: This study was carried out on forty children with cow milk protein allergy attending the Alexandria University Children's Hospital nutrition clinic and compared to forty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex as a control group. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. Laboratory investigations including calcium profile and serum 25 (OH) vitamin D were done. All patients underwent a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan of the lumbar spine

Results: Ten patients (25%) were found to have normal BMD (Z score>-1 SD) while 23 patients (57.5%) were found to have osteopenia (Z score from -1 to 2.5 SD) and 7 patients (7.5%) had osteoporosis (Z score <-2.5 SD). There was a significant positive correlation between BMD Z score with dietary calcium intake in children with CMPA.

Conclusions: Children with CMPA had lower lumbar spine BMD Z scores than healthy controls, which likely resulted from lower calcium