Resumo Objetivo Revisar as evidências sobre a correlação entre alergia à proteína do leite de vaca e otite média aguda recorrente e otite média com efusão. Métodos As buscas foram feitas nas bases de dados Central, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Lilacs e na literatura cinzenta. Resultados Quatro estudos foram incluídos, identificaram‐se as prevalências: 0,2% de fala atrasada devido a otite média com efusão crônica entre 382 crianças com alergia à proteína do leite de vaca, 10,7% de alergia à proteína do leite de vaca entre 242 crianças submetidas a procedimentos otorrinolaringológicos, 40% de alergia à proteína do leite de vaca entre 25 crianças com otite média com efusão recorrente e maior tendência à otite média em alérgicos à proteína do leite de vaca entre 186 crianças (1,5 + 0,6vs.0,4 + 0,1; p < 0,1). Conclusão Se considerarmos as características e variações metodológicas dos estudos identificados, não é possível afirmar a existência de evidência confiável sobre a correlação entre alergia à proteína do leite de vaca e otite média.

Abstract Objectives To review the evidence pertaining to the association between cow’s milk protein allergy and recurrent acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion. Methods The CENTRAL, Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, LILACS databases, and gray literature were searched. Results Four studies were included, identifying the prevalence rates: 0.2% of delayed speech due to chronic otitis media with effusion in 382 children with cow’s milk protein allergy, 10.7% of cow’s milk protein allergy in 242 children who underwent ENT procedures, 40% of cow’s milk protein allergy in 25 children with recurrent otitis media with effusion and higher tendency to otitis media in children with cow’s milk protein allergy of 186 children (1.5 + 0.6 vs. 0.4 + 0.1; p< 0.1). Conclusion Considering the characteristics and methodological variations of the identified studies, it is not possible to state that there is reliable evidence of an association between cow’s milk protein allergy and otitis media.

Abstract Objective: To describe the type of milk used to feed infants seen in private pediatric practices in Brazil. To evaluate the relationship between breastfeeding, type of delivery, and history of prematurity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and observational study that included 4929 infants in the first year of life seen in private pediatric practices in the five geographic regions of Brazil. Mothers provided information about the type of milk used by their infant, the type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean), and whether the birth was premature. Results: Breastfeeding was the only source of milk for 56.1% (1546/2755) of infants in the first six months of life and 32.9% (716/2174) in the second. Of the infants who received other types of milk besides breastfeeding, there was a predominance of infant formula in 98.6% and 93.8% of the infants, respectively, in the first and in the second six months of life. Whole cow's milk was used by 0.7% (20/2755) of infants in the first six months and by 4.1% (90/2174) of infants in the second (p < 0.001). In the first six months of life, breastfeeding as the only type of milk was associated with vaginal delivery (OR = 1.79; p < 0.001) and not having a history of prematurity (OR = 2.48; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Breastfeeding was the only milk source for more than half of infants before 180 days of life. Birth by cesarean section and history of prematurity were negatively associated with breastfeeding as the only source of milk used in infant feeding.