Cow's milk protein allergy is an urgent problem in young children. Early diagnostics and formation of therapeutic tactics are the basic priorities in allergy treatment among young children. Oral provocation tests, which can be performed only in medical establishments, are a golden standard for diagnosing food allergy. Active search continues for optimal scheme of diagnosing cow's milk protein allergy in children in the first year of life. The aim of our research was to create the algorithm of diagnosing cow's milk protein allergy in children younger than one year of age, which will optimize obtaining reliable data on a patient's condition and decrease a load of laboratory examinations on young children using elimination and provocation food test. To complete the set goal, a record of allergological anamnesis, examination, assessment of physical condition and determination of specific IgE to cow's milk proteins were conducted to diagnose cow's milk protein allergy. Then, based on the obtained results, elimination and provocation food test was performed in two phases - elimination phase and provocation phase. Diagnostic in vitro is needed to choose the level of medical establishment for conduction of oral provocation tests: in case a specific IgE index is over 0.7 kU/L, testing is performed in an intensive care unit, if IgE is less than 0.7 kU/L - in a specialized inpatient department. Three clinical cases involving different methods have been presented for diagnosing cow's milk protein allergy - elimination and provocation test, oral provocation test and administration of individual diet based on the obtained results. A complex diagnostic approach, in particular, study of anamnesis, record of nutrition diary, elimination diet, enables to optimize diagnostics of food allergy, and diagnostic addition of a product - to assess tolerance clinically during extension of diet. An elaborated method of diagnosing cow's milk protein allergy in children younger than one year of age can be recommended for wide use in a clinical practice.

To date, various manifestations of allergic reactions and diseases are registered in 15-35% of the population according to the World Health Organization, and in recent years there has been a constant tendency to increase [1]. The first sign of allergic pathology in children, as a rule, is a food allergy, which is mainly manifested by atopic dermatitis. According to official statistics, the rate of atopic dermatitis in Ukraine is known to range from 3 to 10 per 1000 children [2]. However, the results obtained in some regions of our country according to studies under the standardized international program ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood), exceed the above figures by 5-10 times [3]. This situation can be explained by the presence of terminological differences in the interpretation of atopic dermatitis in children, different methodological approaches to statistical research, clinical and age-related polymorphism of the disease. The development of atopic march can begin with a food allergy, so all efforts of physicians should be directed to prevent the transformation of skin forms into respiratory ones and provide the patient and his/her parents with a full quality of life [4,5]. The “School of Atopy” operates under the auspices of the MNPE “Lviv City Children’s Clinical Hospital” and the Lviv City Children’s Allergological Center, where a model of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with food allergies according to European standards was reproduced. Every patient treated for food allergies goes from diagnosis to treatment. Of course, great emphasis is placed on preventing and predicting the development of atopic march in children and improving the quality of life of patients and their parents. 

The aim: To determine the significance of multidisciplinary approach to management of pediatric patients with skin symptoms of food allergy.
Materials and methods: The study included of 36 patients aged 4 to 6 years with skin manifestations of food allergy, of which 18 were randomly included in the study group and had a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and the other 18 patients constituted a comparison group and used a standard therapy regimen. Observation of children was carried out for 3 months.
Results: Assessment of the severity of the cutaneous form of food allergy by SCORAD score showed the average degree of disease activity in the groups of the study at the beginning of treatment and significantly better dynamics in patients of the study group (p=0.0055). In 88.9% (n=16) of patients in the study group and 61.1% (n=11) of the control group, the process became mild.
Conclusions: The application of a multidisciplinary approach allows the integrated implementation of medical, nutritional, and psychological aspects, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and improves the quality of life of patients and their parents.

УДК: 577.27:616-056.3:613.287.5]-053.3

Introduction. Cow’s milk protein allergy is an urgent problem in pediatrics and aff ects from 0.5% to 3% of infants under one year. IgE-dependent form is present in 60% of children with cow’s milk protein allergy and occurrence of symptoms is usually observed from several minutes to several hours from the time of allergen consumption. Molecular diagnostics opens many new opportunities for diagnosing diff erent forms of allergy and prognosticating effi cacy of treatment.
Purpose. To assess the eff ectiveness of molecular diagnostics in children with cow’s milk allergy in diff erent therapeutic tactics.
Materials and methods. Inclusion criteria of the investigation: children from six month to three years old, positive skin test to milk (papule ≥3 mm with prick method) and specifi cIgE to milk ≥0.35  kUa/L in the serum, positive oral provocation test (OPT). The children  had clinical changes associated milk consumption. The research did not include patienwith anaphylaxis in anamnesis, present severe concomitant or autoimmune diseasescontraindications to OPT. All 60 patients and their parents or custodians gave written consent to participation in the investigation. Assessment of a molecular profi le was performed for detecting major components of milk (Bos d 8 – casein, Bos d 5 – β-Lactoglobulin, Bos d 4 α-lactalbumin), minor (Bos d 6 – bovine serum albumin) and cross-reactive ones with serum albumin (Fel d 2 – felis domesticus allergen 2, Can f 3 – canis familiaris allergen 3).
Results. The study cohort consisted of 60 cow’s milk allergic patients, randomized into two groups, compared based on age (p=0.88) and gender (p=0.3).
Analysis of a molecular profi le of milk components permitted to detect the highest indices in the group of major molecules: Bos d 4 (2.10 kUa/L in specifi c oral tolerance group and 2.00 kUa/L in elimination diet group), Bos d 8 (1.90 kUa/L and 1.55 kUa/L respectively) and Bos d 5 (0.85 kUa/L and 1.60 kUa/L respectively). A skin prick test papule diameter had a statistically signifi cant correlation with sIgE to milk (r=0.51) and Bos d 8 (r=0.44). Bos d 8 had a statistically signifi cant correlation with papule diameter (r=0.44), as well as with Сan f 3 (r=0.39) and Bos d 4 (r=0.28). Bos d 6 had a statistically signifi cant correlation with Fel d  2 (r=0.64) and Can f  3 (r=0.44). The obtained data confi rm that bovine serum albumin indicates cross-reactivity with animals, particularly a cat and a dog. The children were observed for three years.

Conclusions. 1.Assessment of a molecular profi le is important for diagnosis and treatment of cow’s milk protein allergy irrespective of a choice of therapeutic tactics – specifi c oral tolerance induction or elimination diet. Identifi cation of individually signifi cant food allergens makes it possible to determine individual indications and contraindications for oral provocation test and select the most appropriate treatment, in particular, specifi c oral tolerance induction as a disease-modifying immunotherapy. 2. Cow’s milk protein allergy is basically accompanied by the presence of major molecules, in particular α-lactalbumin (Bos d 4), casein (Bos d  8) and β-lactoglobulin (Bos d  5). 3.  Casein (Bos d  8) is a major thermostable component of cow’s milk protein and has a statistically signifi cant positive correlation with a papule diameter (r=0.44), Сan f 3 (r=0.39) and Bos d 4 (r=0.28). 4. Bovine serum albumin (Bos d 6) is a minor component of milk and has a statistically signifi cant positive correlation with Fel d  2 (r=0.64) and Can f  3 (r=0.44), which indicates crossreactivity with animals, particularly a cat and a dog.