Milk proteins and other food allergies in children
What it found
Cow milk is the leading trigger for both allergic and non-allergic food reactions, especially in young children.
These two types of reactions are often mixed up by families and health workers.
What they found
Studies in people
Most common trigger
Among all foods, cow milk causes the most allergic and intolerance reactions. This is especially true for young children.
Similar symptoms
Intolerances can look just like allergies in the way they make someone feel. Because of this, caregivers and medical staff often mix them up.
Other findings
Allergy versus intolerance
A true allergy involves the immune system and can affect many organs. An intolerance does not involve the immune system and works through other pathways.
What the authors conclude
- They note that cow milk is the leading cause of food reactions in young children.
- They point out that doctors and families frequently confuse intolerances with true allergies because the symptoms overlap.
How it was done
Food reactions are becoming more common and are a major health issue for children. Doctors, patients and parents frequently mix up true allergies with intolerances.
The authors gathered existing research on how food allergies and intolerances show up in the body. They looked at how these conditions are diagnosed, treated and prevented.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work gathers past research rather than testing people directly. It cannot prove new causes or measure exact risks on its own.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Mahidol University, Thailand
The paper
- Title
- Cow milk protein allergy and other common food allergies and intolerances
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Manuyakorn W, Tanpowpong P (2019). Cow milk protein allergy and other common food allergies and intolerances. Paediatrics and international child health. doi:10.1080/20469047.2018.1490099PubMed 30014782DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error