REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence to support feeding with a hydrolysed formula for the prevention of allergy in preference to exclusive breast feeding .
In high risk infants who are unable to be completely breast fed , there is evidence that prolonged feeding with a hydrolysed compared to a cow 's milk formula reduces infant and childhood allergy and infant CMA .
BACKGROUND Allergies and food reactions are common and may be associated with foods including adapted cow 's milk formulas .
Formulas containing hydrolysed proteins have been used to treat infants with allergy or food intolerance , and have been advocated for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether use of hydrolysed formulas for infant feeding prevents allergy and food intolerance .
If hydrolysed formulas are effective , to determine what type of hydrolysed formula is most effective including extensively and partially hydrolysed formulas .
To determine which infants benefit including infants at low or high risk of allergy and infants receiving early , short term or prolonged formula feeding .
Prevalence of asthma symptoms among adults aged 20-44 years in Canada.
BACKGROUND Reported prevalence rates of asthma vary within and between countries around the world . These differences suggest environmental factors in addition to genetic factors in the cause of the disease and may provide clues for preventive strategies . We examined the variability of asthma-related symptoms and medication use among adults in 6 sites across Canada ( Vancouver , Winnipeg , Hamilton , Montreal , Halifax and Prince Edward Isl and ) and compared our findings with those from sites that had participated in a recent European survey . METHODS We used the same sampling strategy and st and ardized question naire as those used in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey ( ECRHS ) . The 6 Canadian sites were selected to represent different environments with respect to climate , air pollution and occupational exposure . Community-based sample s of 3000 to 4000 people aged 20 - 44 years were r and omly selected in each site . Subjects were asked to complete the question naire by mail between March 1993 and November 1994 . Prevalence rates ( and 95 % confidence intervals [ CIs ] ) of asthma symptoms , self-reported asthma attacks and use of asthma medication were compared across the Canadian sites and with sites that had participated in the ECRHS . RESULTS The overall response rate of those selected to receive the question naire was 86.5 % ( range 74.5%-92.8 % ) . The prevalence rates of most asthma symptoms varied significantly among the Canadian sites . For instance , 21.9 % ( Montreal ) to 30.4 % ( Halifax ) of the men and 24.0 % ( Vancouver ) to 35.2 % ( Halifax ) of the women reported wheezing in the year before the survey . Depending on the site , 4.4 % to 6.3 % of the men and 5.2 % to 9.5 % of the women reported an asthma attack in the last year , and 4.0 % to 6.1 % of the men and 4.9 % to 9.7 % of the women were currently using asthma medication . Prevalence rates of symptoms , asthma attacks and medication use did not change with age , but they were higher among women than among men . Compared with the results from the ECRHS sites , those from the Canadian sites were among the highest . INTERPRETATION Significant variation in the prevalence of asthma symptoms , asthma attacks and use of asthma medication between Canadian sites and international sites suggests environmental influences . Different combinations of factors in different sites may be responsible for the high prevalence rates and should be the subject of further research to guide clinical management and public health intervention
REVIEW ER 'S CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence to support feeding with a hydrolysed formula for the prevention of allergy in preference to exclusive breast feeding .
In high risk infants who are unable to be completely breast fed , there is evidence that prolonged feeding with a hydrolysed compared to a cow 's milk formula reduces infant and childhood allergy and infant CMA .
BACKGROUND Allergies and food reactions are common and may be associated with foods including adapted cow 's milk formulas .
Formulas containing hydrolysed proteins have been used to treat infants with allergy or food intolerance , and have been advocated for prevention of allergy and food intolerance in infants .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether use of hydrolysed formulas for infant feeding prevents allergy and food intolerance .
If hydrolysed formulas are effective , to determine what type of hydrolysed formula is most effective including extensively and partially hydrolysed formulas .
To determine which infants benefit including infants at low or high risk of allergy and infants receiving early , short term or prolonged formula feeding .