Positive family history of allergy in children with hypersensitivity to cow's milk.

BACKGROUND

Allergy belongs to the most frequent chronic diseases in developed countries. Its manifestation and development are determined by genetic predisposition as well as specific and non-specific environmental factors. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the type and incidence of allergic/atopic diseases among family members (1st and 2nd degree of kinship) of children with the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to cow's milk.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Positive family history of atopic and allergic diseases among the closest relatives was analysed in a group of 180 children with the diagnosis of hypersensitivity to cow's milk.

RESULTS

Allergoses were found in 163 (91.1%) families, affecting 55.5%, 36% and 50% mothers, fathers and siblings of the patients, respectively. The disease of the same type as in children was present in 37.2% siblings and in 11.7% parents. Forty-five per cent of patients were from high-risk families, where 2, 3 or 4 relatives were affected by the disease (in 37.8%, 6.7% and 0.56% cases, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical manifestation of allergoses differed between various generations of the same family. The systems most often affected by the allergic process were skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system.