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 .
Comparison of an elemental with a hydrolysed whey formula in intolerance to cows' milk.
In a double blind study , 40 infants with cows ' milk intolerance of various causes were r and omised to receive a nutritionally complete formula in which nitrogen was supplied either as whey hydrolysate or amino acids .  The median age of infants was 10 weeks ( range 36 weeks ' gestation to 108 weeks ' postnatal age ) . After a median follow up period of 25 weeks there was no significant difference in dietary intake between the formulas . Twenty four weeks after entry , weight and weight for length improved equally on both formulas . Plasma albumin improved significantly on the hydrolysed whey formula but not in the amino acid group . Both milks were palatable and normal intakes of formula were maintained . Biochemical and haematological indices remained within normal limits . There was no difference in stool frequency and vomiting between the two formulas . Two infants developed a probable allergic colitis while receiving hydrolysed whey . Amino acid formula may have a role in the management of atopic infants with severe cows ' milk intolerance who have already reacted to whey or casein hydrolysate formula
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 .