Results of an EPA advisory group discussion on the management of cow’s milk allergy in infants by paediatricians in primary care

There is a documented need for guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of cow’s milk allergy (CMA) / food allergy (FA) in infants [1]. The Purpose of the current work was to address that need. The current study established new customised guidelines for the management of infants with CMA/FA specifically by general paediatricians. To be fully functional for the end users, the guidelines need a given foundation in evidence based medicine, whilst also respecting the diversity of the currently existing healthcare systems around Europe. These are systems in which the general paediatrician must function effectively on a daily basis. At the same time, these are also systems which in the short or medium term cannot necessarily be structurally or functionally modified by general paediatricians. The current work seeks to bridge that gap for the immediate benefit of children in and around Europe, at risk for FA/CMA. Methods In June 2011, EPA conducted a real-life practice study among 735 paediatricians from Europe and surrounding countries. They were personally invited via email to complete a web-based survey with 21 questions about their management of CMA in infants. The results of that study are presented in a separate poster at this congress [1]. Following the above study, a group of general paediatricians, paediatric nutritionists and allergists analysed the survey results which clearly demonstrated the need for guidelines on the management of CMA /FA in infants. General recommendations for the management of CMA/FA by primary care paediatricians (PCP) were therefore proposed by the expert group. Results The following results will discuss selected details of the findings in the main study, which is reported separately [1]. The current work added an analytic comment to individual and overall findings, with the emphasis to educate both individual paediatricians and concerned specialists about identified discrepancies between current clinical practice and best practice as defined by evidence-based medicine and the results of recent clinical trials.