Use of camel milk in children with cow milk allergy
G. Paolella 1 , G. A. Mazza 1, A. Bua 2, M. Rubino 3, S. Rubino 4, A.M. Mahdi 5, F. Zurlo 1,
T. R. Dolceamore 1, G. Monti 2, R. Miniero 1
1 Chair
of Pediatrics, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, Italy; 2 Department of Pediatrics,
University of Turin, Italy;
3 Pediatrics, Bolognini Seriate Bergamo hospital, Italy; 4 General Pediatrician, Catanzaro, Italy;
5 Hargeisa Pediatric Center, University of Hargeisa, Somalia
OBJECTIVES AND STUDY •  Cow milk (CwM) is an alternative to human milk when breastfeeding is not possible, but some
children develop allergy to CwM proteins (CMA). In these cases formula milks (hydrolysed
protein or amino acid) or milks from other mammals as goat are necessary.
•  Arab and Asian populations use camel milk (CM) which is gaining interest among researchers
for its unique composition, without beta-lattoglobulin and different percentage of casein
subclasses.
•  CM was permitted in Europe in 2013 but European studies are still lacking so we decided to
investigate CM reactivity in CMA children
METODS We tested six CMA patients aged from 14 months to 13 years using Prick Test with
food antigens and Prick by Prick test with powder CM and full cream CwM. Neither
antihistamine nor cortisone had been administered in the previous week.
RESULTS •  All children were positive at the Prick Test for CwM.
•  The size of the wheal was between 6-12 mm.
•  At Skin Prick Test the size of the wheal was 3 to from 6 mm for
casein, from 5 to 11 mm for α-lactalbumin, and from 3 to 10 mm for βlattoglobulin.
•  All children resulted positive for full cream CwM and negative for CM
at Prick by Prick test.
CONCLUSION •  Our results are consistent with the study of Ehlayel et al. CM could represent a possible
alternative to infant formulas.
•  Larger studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Reference:
Ehlayel M, Bener A, Abu Hazeima K, Al-Mesaifri F. Camel milk is a safer choice than goat
milk for feeding children with cow milk allergy. ISRN Allergy. 2011;2011:391641.