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Exploring the prevalence of cow milk and soy allergies among breastfeeding mothers by examining T-IgE and Specific IgE level

Tengku Azhar, Tengku Norbaya and Abdul Ghani, Radiah and Mohd Idris, Siti Norfahana and Feisal, Nur Azalina Suzianti and Mohd Nasir, Mohd Hamzah (2024) Exploring the prevalence of cow milk and soy allergies among breastfeeding mothers by examining T-IgE and Specific IgE level. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 24 (2). pp. 261-267. ISSN 1675-0306 E-ISSN 2590-3829

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Abstract

Cow and soy milk are recognized as common allergens that can trigger allergic reactions among infants, including those breastfed. It is most likely that the cow and soymilk allergens can be transmitted to infant through breast milk. Investigation on the maternal allergy status is essential to scrutinize the determining source of breastmilk transmitting allergens among the lactating mothers. This cross-sectional study is aimed to assess the prevalence of cow and soymilk allergies among lactating mothers by examining immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. 36 lactating mothers were selected through convenience sampling in Dengkil, Selangor, and Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Laboratory tests conducted using the ImmunoCAP 100 with CAP RAST (Radio-allegro-sorbent Test) system revealed Total IgE (T-IgE) levels ranging from 82 to 233 kU/L, with a mean SD of 142.27 ± 41.49. Specific IgE (s-IgE) levels for cow milk ranged from 0.10 ± 0.48 kU/L with a mean ± SD of 0.251 ± 0.09 kU/L, and s-IgE levels for soy ranged from 0.02 ± 0.04. The study found that 19.4% of respondents were clinically diagnosed with cow milk allergy and none were diagnosed with soy allergy. The Pearson correlation demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r = 0.691, p < 0.001), between T-IgE and cow milk IgE. No significant was observed between T-IgE and soy IgE as r = 0.159, p > 0.05. An independent T- test revealed a significant difference in T-IgE levels between positively diagnosed mothers with cow milk allergy (p = 0.022). This study suggests that relying solely on T-IgE levels may not be sufficient to determine allergy prevalence. By combining with s-IgE it can offer a more accurate diagnosis as a foundation for effective allergy management.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Additional Information: 4458/114666
Uncontrolled Keywords: Total Immunoglobulin E (T-IgE); Specific IgE (s-IgE); Cow Milk Allergy (CMA); Soy Allergy
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences
Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences > Department of Biomedical Science (Effective:1st July 2011)
Kulliyyah of Science
Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Biomedical Science
Depositing User: Dr. Radiah Abdul Ghani
Date Deposited: 26 Sep 2024 11:15
Last Modified: 04 Oct 2024 15:55
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/114666

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