Asthma Allergy Immunology

Asthma Allergy Immunology

Cultural and Clinical Dimensions of Milk Ladder Therapy: A Narrative Review from the Asian Context

Azwin Mengindra PUTERA 1-2, Fis Citra ARIYANTO 3,

1 Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
2 Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
3 Post-Graduate Nursing Program, Faculty of Nursing Science, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia

DOI: 10.21911/aai.2026.1152
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Milk ladder (ML) therapy has emerged as a structured, evidence-based approach for the reintroduction of cow's milk protein in children with allergy, offering a gradual progression from extensively heated products to less processed forms. While ML demonstrates high efficacy in non-IgE-mediated CMPA due to its lower risk profile, its application in IgE-mediated cases requires stringent patient selection and clinical oversight. Globally, ML protocols have been adapted to reflect local dietary practices, yet implementation across Asia remains inconsistent. The absence of standardized regional guidelines, limited clinical validation, and cultural misalignment with Western-based food stages hinder widespread adoption. In Southeast Asia, ML is not formally integrated into national allergy frameworks, resulting in informal adaptations that vary in safety and reproducibility. Recent studies from Japan and Korea suggest that ML and oral immunotherapy (OIT) yield comparable outcomes in tolerance induction, though ML offers greater accessibility and cultural flexibility. To ensure safe and effective implementation, ML protocols must incorporate allergy phenotype stratification, caregiver education, and emergency preparedness. Developing culturally appropriate food stages using locally available ingredients and traditional cooking methods is essential for improving adherence and clinical outcomes. Multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, dietitians, and food scientists is critical to establish validated, context-sensitive ML frameworks. With appropriate adaptation, ML therapy holds promise as an inclusive and sustainable strategy for CMPA management across diverse Asian populations.

Keywords : Cow's milk allergy, milk ladder, Asia, cultural adaptation, clinical safety