The identified trials provide only low quality evidence about the effects of feeding preterm infants  with protein hydrolysate versus st and ard formula .
The existing data did not support conclusions that feeding with protein hydrolysate affects the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis .
BACKGROUND When human milk is not available for feeding preterm infants , protein hydrolysate rather than st and ard cow 's milk formulas ( with intact proteins ) are often used because they are perceived as being tolerated better and less likely to lead to complications .
However , protein hydrolysate formulas are more expensive than st and ard formulas , and concern exists that their use in practice is not supported by high- quality evidence .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of feeding preterm infants with hydrolysed formula ( versus st and ard cow 's milk formulas )  on the risk of feed intolerance , necrotising enterocolitis , and  other morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .
Extensively and partially hydrolysed preterm formulas in the prevention of allergic diseases in preterm infants: a randomized, double‐blind trial
Aim : A r and omized , double‐blind study was conducted to evaluate whether use of protein hydrolysate‐based preterm formulas in infants with an atopic predisposition helps prevent the development of allergic diseases . Methods : Preterm infants ( n= 122 ) with at least one first‐degree relative ( parent or sibling ) with allergic disease were r and omly assigned to receive an extensively or partially hydrolysed preterm formula ( intervention groups ) or a st and ard preterm formula until 4 to 5 mo of age . Infants whose parents preferred that they be breastfed received their mothers ' fortified breast milk . Results : Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that the overall incidence of allergic diseases did not significantly differ between groups at both 4–5 and 12 mo of age . However , by 12 mo , use of the extensively hydrolysed versus the st and ard preterm formula had significantly reduced the risk of atopic dermatitis . At 4–5 and 12 mo , there was a significantly increased risk of non‐acceptance of the extensively hydrolysed formula compared with the other formulas
The identified trials provide only low quality evidence about the effects of feeding preterm infants  with protein hydrolysate versus st and ard formula .
The existing data did not support conclusions that feeding with protein hydrolysate affects the risk of feed intolerance or necrotising enterocolitis .
BACKGROUND When human milk is not available for feeding preterm infants , protein hydrolysate rather than st and ard cow 's milk formulas ( with intact proteins ) are often used because they are perceived as being tolerated better and less likely to lead to complications .
However , protein hydrolysate formulas are more expensive than st and ard formulas , and concern exists that their use in practice is not supported by high- quality evidence .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of feeding preterm infants with hydrolysed formula ( versus st and ard cow 's milk formulas )  on the risk of feed intolerance , necrotising enterocolitis , and  other morbidity and mortality in preterm infants .