Abstract The prevalence of cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) has increased in recent years,
and is associated with antimicrobial use during the perinatal period, prematurity, the type of
childbirth, and the decrease in breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to analyze whether
there is any association between these factors and the development of CMPA.
Material and methods: A retrospective, comparative, cross-sectional, observational study was
conducted by reviewing the case records of 101 children diagnosed with CMPA and seen at the
Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition of the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría within
the time frame of January 2012 and August 2013. The following variables were included: age,
sex, weeks of gestation, history of maternal infection and antimicrobial use during the pregnancy,
type of delivery, and feeding with human milk, and its duration. Likewise, the case
records of 90 children were reviewed as a control group on not having CMPA or any other
allergy. The chi-square test was used for proportions, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used
for comparing means in the statistical analysis.
Results: The factors associated with CMPA were the use of antimicrobials during gestation
and breastfeeding duration in months. Both factors were statistically significant (P < .001). No
association was found between CMPA and gestational age or type of delivery.