Feeding soya-based formula as opposed to st and ard cow 's milk formula did not reduce the risk of having asthma or wheeze at any age .
In infants with at least one first degree relative with atopy , hydrolysed formula for a minimum of 4 months combined with dietary restrictions and environment measures may reduce the risk of developing asthma or wheeze in the first year of life .
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that soya-based milk formula has any benefit
BACKGROUND In infants with a family history of atopy , food allergen avoidance has been advocated as means of preventing the development of atopic disease when breast-feeding is not possible or supplemental feeding is needed .
Most infant formulas are based on cow 's milk protein .
Alternative choices include soya based and hydrolysed cows milk formulas .
OBJECTIVES To estimate the effect of dietary avoidance of cow 's milk protein on the development of asthma or wheeze in children .
Environmental factors and symptoms in infants at high risk of allergy.
STUDY OBJECTIVE : To identify environmental determinants of six symptoms associated with allergic disease in infancy . DESIGN : Infants were participants in a prospect i ve r and omised controlled trial of feeding practice s in families with a history of atopy . SETTING : Infants were recruited in two maternity hospitals in S Wales and followed up in the community for 1 year . PARTICIPANTS : Mothers of 519 infants agreed to participate , but 36 were excluded ( mainly for moving home or failing to attend for follow-up ) , leaving 483 in the study ( 253 male , 230 female ) . Infants were followed up and examined for evidence of allergic disease at 3 , 6 , and 12 months . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS : At each examination , mothers were question ed about episodes of illness in the infant , and the data presented relate to ( reported and observed ) eczema and nasal discharge , and ( reported ) wheeze , prolonged colds , diarrhoea and vomiting . Mothers kept a diary with details of feeding for the first 6 months . All homes were visited by a nurse who took sample s of dust for dust mite antigen analysis . Extensive socio-demographic data were collected . None of the factors studied showed a convincing relationship with eczema . In a multiple logistic regression analysis breast feeding appeared to protect against wheeze , nasal discharge , colds , vomiting and diarrhoea . Having more siblings increased the likelihood of prolonged colds , and ( together with overcrowding ) of wheeze and nasal discharge . Maternal smoking and low social class were associated with wheeze , and house dust antigen with prolonged colds . Respiratory symptoms were associated with some aspects of housing but these could not be distinguished clearly from other social factors . Babies born in Autumn were at increased risk of wheeze , vomiting and diarrhoea . CONCLUSIONS : Environmental factors play an important part in determining risk of symptoms in potentially atopic babies . These factors are in principle open to manipulation
Feeding soya-based formula as opposed to st and ard cow 's milk formula did not reduce the risk of having asthma or wheeze at any age .
In infants with at least one first degree relative with atopy , hydrolysed formula for a minimum of 4 months combined with dietary restrictions and environment measures may reduce the risk of developing asthma or wheeze in the first year of life .
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that soya-based milk formula has any benefit
BACKGROUND In infants with a family history of atopy , food allergen avoidance has been advocated as means of preventing the development of atopic disease when breast-feeding is not possible or supplemental feeding is needed .
Most infant formulas are based on cow 's milk protein .
Alternative choices include soya based and hydrolysed cows milk formulas .
OBJECTIVES To estimate the effect of dietary avoidance of cow 's milk protein on the development of asthma or wheeze in children .