REVIEWS
IMAJ | volume 28
Journal 9, September 2026
pages: 601-606
Primary Prevention of IgE-mediated Cow’s Milk Allergy Is Feasible: A Position Statement by the Israeli Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
1 Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
2 Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
3 Department of Pediatrics, Adams Children's Hospital, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
4 Kipper Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
5 Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
6 Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
7 Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
8 Department of Pediatrics, Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), Zerifin, Israel
9 Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Summary
Immunoglobulin E-mediated cow's milk allergy (IgE-CMA) is the most common food allergy in infancy. Recent evidence suggests that early infant feeding practices, particularly the pattern of cow's milk formula (CMF) exposure during the first days and months of life, may influence the risk of developing IgE-CMA. Studies indicate that transient CMF supplementation followed by prolonged avoidance is associated with an increased risk of IgE-CMA, whereas continued regular CMF consumption after initial exposure may reduce this risk. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding IgE-CMA prevention, discusses the limitations of the available data, presents the recommendations of the Israeli Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and highlights key unanswered questions requiring further research.