Conclusion : Limited low- quality evidence indicates that probiotic supplementation may be associated with earlier acquisition of tolerance to CMP in children with CMPA .
CMPA is associated with significant socioeconomic burden.• Elimination diet and extensively hydrolyzed formula is the mainstay of the management of CMPA.What is New:• This first systematic review of r and omized controlled trials shows that probiotics as an adjuvant can lead to earlier acquisition of tolerance to CMP  in children at 36 months of age .
However , the evidence is low quality and influenced by data from one large study .• Probiotic supplementation was not associated with earlier resolution of hematochezia
Cow ’s milk protein allergy ( CMPA ) is the commonest food allergy in infancy and is associated with significant health burden .
Given their immune modulatory properties , probiotics have been proposed as a strategy for management of CMPA .
We aim ed to systematic ally review efficacy and safety of probiotics in the management of CMPA .
Large well- design ed trials are essential to confirm these findings .What is Known:• Cow ’s milk protein allergy ( CMPA ) is one of the commonest food allergies in children .
Synbiotics-supplemented amino acid-based formula supports adequate growth in cow's milk allergic infants.
BACKGROUND Children with cow 's milk allergy ( CMA ) are at risk for inadequate nutritional intake and growth . Dietary management of CMA , therefore , requires diets that are not only hypoallergenic but also support adequate growth in this population . This study assessed growth of CMA infants when using a new amino acid-based formula ( AAF ) with prebiotics and probiotics ( synbiotics ) and evaluated its safety in the intended population . METHODS In a prospect i ve , r and omized , double-blind controlled study , full-term infants with diagnosed CMA received either an AAF ( control ; n = 56 ) or AAF with synbiotics ( oligofructose , long-chain inulin , acidic oligosaccharides , Bifidobacterium breve M-16V ) ( test ; n = 54 ) for 16 wk . Primary outcome was growth , measured as weight , length and head circumference . Secondary outcomes included allergic symptoms and stool characteristics . RESULTS Average age ( ±SD ) of infants at inclusion was 4.5 ± 2.4 months . Both formulas equally supported growth according to WHO 2006 growth charts and result ed in similar increases of weight , length and head circumference . At week 16 , differences ( 90 % CI ) in Z-scores ( test-control ) were as follows : weight 0.147 ( -0.10 ; 0.39 , p = 0.32 ) , length -0.299 ( -0.69 ; 0.09 , p = 0.21 ) and head circumference 0.152 ( -0.15 ; 0.45 , p = 0.40 ) . Weight-for-age and length-for-age Z-scores were not significantly different between the test and control groups . Both formulas were well tolerated and reduced allergic symptoms ; the number of adverse events was not different between the groups . CONCLUSIONS This is the first study that shows that an AAF with a specific synbiotic blend , suitable for CMA infants , supports normal growth and growth similar to the AAF without synbiotics . This clinical trial is registered as NCT00664768
Conclusion : Limited low- quality evidence indicates that probiotic supplementation may be associated with earlier acquisition of tolerance to CMP in children with CMPA .
CMPA is associated with significant socioeconomic burden.• Elimination diet and extensively hydrolyzed formula is the mainstay of the management of CMPA.What is New:• This first systematic review of r and omized controlled trials shows that probiotics as an adjuvant can lead to earlier acquisition of tolerance to CMP  in children at 36 months of age .
However , the evidence is low quality and influenced by data from one large study .• Probiotic supplementation was not associated with earlier resolution of hematochezia
Cow ’s milk protein allergy ( CMPA ) is the commonest food allergy in infancy and is associated with significant health burden .
Given their immune modulatory properties , probiotics have been proposed as a strategy for management of CMPA .
We aim ed to systematic ally review efficacy and safety of probiotics in the management of CMPA .
Large well- design ed trials are essential to confirm these findings .What is Known:• Cow ’s milk protein allergy ( CMPA ) is one of the commonest food allergies in children .