A workshop report on the development of the Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score awareness tool for young children

Abstract

Clinicians with expertise in managing children with gastrointestinal problems and/or atopic diseases attended a workshop in Brussels in September 2014 to review the literature and determine whether a clinical score derived from symptoms associated with the ingestion of cow's milk proteins could help primary healthcare providers. The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS), which considers general manifestations, dermatological, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, was developed as an awareness tool for cow's milk-related symptoms. It can also be used to evaluate and quantify the evolution of symptoms during therapeutic interventions, but does not diagnose cow's milk protein allergy and does not replace a food challenge. Its usefulness needs to be evaluated by a prospective randomised study.

Conclusion: The CoMiSS provides primary healthcare clinicians with a simple, fast and easy-to-use awareness tool for cow's milk-related symptoms.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; awareness tool; constipation; cow's milk protein allergy; regurgitation.