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 .
The long-term effect of a partial whey hydrolysate formula on the prophylaxis of atopic disease
At the age of 5 years , the prevalence of atopic manifestations was analysed in 58 formula-fed “ at risk ” infants because of a history of atopic disease in at least two first degree relatives . Infants were r and omly assigned to receive either a partial whey-hydrolysate formula ( n : 28 ) or a regular cow 's milk formula ( n : 30 ) during the first 6 months of life ; thereafter , feeding was unrestricted . Only non-breastfed infants were included . The groups did not differ in risk factors or in known confounding factors possibly influencing the incidence of manifestations suggestive of atopic disease . At 6 months , the prevalence of cow 's milk protein ( CMP ) sensitivity was significantly decreased in the hydrolysate group ( 7 % versus 43%;P : 0.002 ) . At the age of 12 ( 21 % versus 53%;P : 0.029 ) , 36 ( 25 % versus 57%;P : 0.018 ) and 60 months ( 29 % versus 60%;P : 0.016 ) there was still a significant difference in the number of atopic manifestations , if calculated cumulatively . There was no difference between the groups if only the new cases after the age of 6 months were considered . Eczema was less frequent in the whey-hydrolysate group , but only during the 1st year of life , suggesting a decreased prevalence of CMP sensitivity . During the first 6 months , diarrhoea of non-infectious origin occurred in 8/30 infants ( 27 % ) of the adapted formula group , and in no infant in the hydrolysate group . “ Colic as single manifestation ” was considered of “ allergic ” origin in 1/28 infants in the hydrolysate group , and in 4/30 infants in the adapted formula group . If gastro-intestinal symptoms such as “ diarrhoea and colic as single manifestation ” are not considered , the number of infants with CMP sensitivity remains only significant for the first 6 months ( P : 0.004 ) . At 12 , 36 and 60 months , differences are not significant ( 0.106 , 0.116 and 0.07 , respectively ) . The results of this study support the hypothesis that allergy prevention is antigen specific . Conclusion If mother 's milk is not available and other studies confirm these results , there might be an indication for partial hydrolysates in infants with a family history of atopy , since these formulae reduce the incidence of CMP sensitivity
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 .