Child health · UKMLA & AKT

Cow milk protein allergy

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise cow milk protein allergy — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • CMPA is a multi-system condition - the multi-system picture is the key feature distinguishing it from simpler diagnoses like infantile colic or reflux.
  • Gastrointestinal - vomiting, colicky abdominal pain, loose/blood-streaked stools
  • Cutaneous - erythematous rash, eczematous skin changes
  • Faltering growth - reflects poor intake and gut inflammation; always prompts consideration of CMPA
  • Onset typically before 6 months, correlating with introduction of formula or complementary foods; onset after 12 months is unusual

The exam vignette: infant under 6 months with multi-system features (GI + skin rash + faltering growth) in the context of formula or mixed feeding. Multi-system involvement rules out single diagnoses - colic has no rash or growth failure; reflux has no rash or growth failure; CMPA ties the picture together.

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