Milk protein allergy and infection rates in infants over 12 months
What it found
Infants allergic to cow's milk proteins had more infections, used more antibiotics, and spent more time in hospital than healthy babies.
This was seen in a study following children for up to 12 months.
What they found
Studies in people
More infections overall
Babies with milk protein allergy had higher rates of infections across all body systems compared to healthy babies. They also used more antibiotics and went to hospital more often.
Type of allergy matters
Children whose allergy involved IgE antibodies had more infections than those with other types of milk protein allergy. They also needed more antibiotics and hospital care.
Different infection sites
Among allergic babies, those with IgE allergies got more chest and skin infections. Those without IgE allergies got more gut infections.
Less breastfeeding
Babies with milk protein allergy were breastfed exclusively less often and for shorter times than healthy babies.
What the authors conclude
- They found that milk protein allergy, especially the IgE type, was linked to more frequent and severe infections in babies.
- They suggest doctors should pay closer attention to infection risk in these children.
- The authors say keeping the allergy well controlled is important.
How it was done
Allergy to cow's milk proteins causes problems for babies and their families, but scientists have little information on how often these children get infections.
Researchers followed babies with cow's milk protein allergy and healthy babies seen at clinics. They checked them at the first visit, then again at 6 months and 12 months. They tracked chest, skin, gut, and urinary infections, along with antibiotic use and hospital stays.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study followed children over time, so it can show a link between milk protein allergy and infections but cannot prove one causes the other.
- The allergic babies also had larger families and different feeding patterns, which could partly explain the extra infections.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Turkey; Gaziosmanpaşa University School of Medicine, Turkey
The paper
- Title
- Cow's milk protein allergy: A risk factor for infections in infants?
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Kocatepe G, Uygun DFK, Ture S, et al (2026). Cow's milk protein allergy: A risk factor for infections in infants?. Allergy and asthma proceedings. doi:10.2500/aap.2026.47.250098PubMed 41840413DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error