Milk allergy and bottles over the back fence: two single patient trials

OBJECTIVE To determine if allergy to cows milk was responsible for symptoms in two children. DESIGN Single patient trial. SETTING General Practice in New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS Two children aged about 6 months INTERVENTION Alternating bottles of soya-based milk and cow's milk provided by neighbours over their back fence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence of diarrhea, irritability, rash and wheeze. RESULTS After 4 cycles of soya-based milk and cows milk one child proved to have a milk allergy and one did not. CONCLUSION A systematic approach enabled conclusive diagnoses in both children.