Food Hypersensitivity and Otolaryngologic Conditions in Young Children

Objectives/HypothesisTo explore the relationship between food hypersensitivity and common upper aerodigestive disorders found in children younger than 2 years.Study DesignCase control study.SettingTertiary pediatric gastroenterology/otolaryngology clinics.MethodsTwo-year retrospective chart review of a common cohort of children younger than 2 years with suspected cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). Patients were managed in both a tertiary pediatric gastroenterology and otolaryngology clinic and compared with a control study group.ResultsOne hundred ninety-one children with CMPA were reviewed. One hundred forty-one had aerodigestive complaints, with 101 having sufficient follow-up to participate in the study. Ninety-one percent of this final patient group demonstrated improved symptoms following dairy elimination. Twenty-five patients (27%) had associated otolaryngologic (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) issues that had been refractory to maximal gastroesophageal reflux therapy. The most common associated upper...