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Tiffani Hays, MS, RD, LN; Robert A. Wood, MD

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:810-816.

Objective  To critically examine the published literature to determine whether feeding hydrolyzed infant formulas from birth has a role in allergy prevention.

Data Sources  We identified data through a MEDLINE search using allergy prevention and infant formulas as indexing terms. The search was restricted to 1985 through the present, English-language articles, and human subjects.

Study Selection  Criteria for inclusion in the review were prospective controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals.

Data Extraction  Symptoms of allergy were defined and observed by health care providers (physicians and nurses).

Data Synthesis  Nine published trials evaluated the use of extensively hydrolyzed formulas, 12 evaluated the use of partially hydrolyzed formulas in high-risk infants, and 1 evaluated the use of partially hydrolyzed formulas in an unselected infant population. The reports compared hydrolyzed formulas with breastfeeding, cow’s milk formulas, soy formulas, and combinations thereof. The cohort of studies consistently showed reductions in the cumulative incidence of atopic disease from 12 to 60 months of age among high-risk infants fed extensively hydrolyzed casein formulas or partially hydrolyzed whey formulas vs cow’s milk formulas. No studies showed an increase in allergy risk with any hydrolyzed formulas.

Conclusions  Extensively hydrolyzed casein formulas and partially hydrolyzed whey formulas are appropriate alternatives to breast milk for allergy prevention in infants at risk. Because atopic disease in children cannot be predicted, the use of these formulas in the general population should be considered, and one must weigh cost, compliance, and long-term benefits.

Author Affiliations: Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children’s Nutrition Center (Ms Hays), and Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics (Dr Wood), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.

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RELATED LETTERS

Use of a Partially Hydrolyzed Formula in the Dietary Prevention of Allergic Disease
Antonio Marini, Massimo Agosti, and Carla Colombo
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(8):854-855.
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Use of a Partially Hydrolyzed Formula in the Dietary Prevention of Allergic Disease—Reply
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Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160(8):855.
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