The contribution of some constitutional factors to the development of cow's milk and gluten intolerance in children.

Abstract

The role of some constitutional factors in the development of cow's milk and gluten intolerance among hospitalized children was the subject of analysis made by the authors. The patients were hospitalized at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Children during 1973-1982. The age of 45 children varied from 5 months to 5 years (gluten intolerance group) and of 50 children it amounted to from 2 months to 5 years (cow's milk intolerance group). In 34% of the family members of the children with milk intolerance and in 4.4% of the family members of the children with gluten intolerance the symptoms of this trait were found. Coeliac disease was observed in 13.3% of the family members of the gluten intolerance group of children and 10.8% psychic and/or diabetes disease among the members. It has been suggested that above illnesses of the family members occur more frequently compared to control group and this finding can speak for the participation of s constitutional (genetic?) factor in the development of this type of intolerance among the members of the family of affected children.