The Effect of an Elimination Diet on Early Childhood Growth in Children with Egg and/or Cow’s Milk Allergies

Objective: Eliminating egg and/or cow's milk during early childhood may affect the growth of food-allergic children.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of elimination diets on anthropometric measurements and diet composition in children allergic to egg and/or cow's milk. Materials and Methods:Anthropometric measurements and nutritional data were evaluated in children with cow's milk and/or egg protein allergy during elimination diets.Their daily calorie, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were analyzed based on a 3-day diet log.Z-scores for weight, height, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated.The data were compared with pre-elimination values and with those of healthy controls. Results:The study included 77 food-allergic children and a control group of 50 healthy children.In the patient group, the median age was 14 months and 57.1% (n=44) were male.Age, gender, and z-scores for weight-for-age and height-for-age were similar between the groups.Comparisons with pre-elimination measurements revealed that 18.2% of children with short stature at the time of diagnosis achieved normal height after elimination diets (p=0.001) and 37.4% of the children had increased height z-score.However, weight-forage z-score decreased significantly (p<0.01).Although caloric intake was the same in both groups, the patient group consumed relatively less protein and more fat and carbohydrates. Conclusion:In elimination diets, even if the calorie intake is adequate, eliminating allergenic food items may cause a decrease in weight without causing malnutrition.The height may improve.Growth should be monitored with age-corrected measurements and on an individual basis.