Use of hypoallergenic formula in the prevention of atopic disease among Asian children

• Published in: Journal of paediatrics and child health Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 84 - 88
• Main Authors: Chan, YH, Shek, LPC, Aw, M, Quak, SH, Lee, BW
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Science Asia Pty. Ltd 01.02.2002; Blackwell
• Subjects: Allergic diseases; Atopic; atopic disease; Babies; Baby milk; Biological and medical sciences; Child; cow's milk allergy; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Dermatitis; eczema; Eczema - etiology; Feeding; Female; General aspects; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Hypoallergenic; hypoallergenic formula; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunopathology; Infant; Infant Food; Infants; Male; Maternal, fetal and perinatal monitoring; Medical sciences; Milk Hypersensitivity - blood; Milk Hypersensitivity - complications; Milk Hypersensitivity - genetics; Milk Hypersensitivity - physiopathology; Milk Hypersensitivity - prevention & control; Prevention; Prospective Studies; Singapore; Singapore; Human; Immunopathology; Allergy; Evaluation; Skin disease; Asiatic; Treatment efficiency; IgE; Biological marker; Asymptomatic; Breast feeding; Genetic determinism; Atopy; Prevention; Eczema; Cow milk; Child; Comparative study
• ISSN: 1034-4810; 1440-1754
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2002.00725.x

Objective: To determine the effect of a partially hydrolysed formula on genetically predisposed children, with respect to the development of atopic clinical manifestations and in vitro testing of serum IgE levels (total and milk‐specific). Methods: One hundred and ten infants were randomly assigned to receive either partially hydrolysed formula or standard infant formula, and were prospectively monitored from birth for clinical atopic symptoms and serum IgE levels. Results: Eczema occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula. This was significant (P < 0.05) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. However, the significance decreased with time, although it almost reached statistical significance at 30 months by the Kaplan–Meier survival function (log–rank statistic, 3.46; P = 0.063). Although wheezing occurred less frequently in infants receiving partially hydrolysed formula, compared to those receiving standard infant formula, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Exclusive feeding of hypoallergenic milk formula in the first 4 months of life has a protective effect in terms of the development of atopic dermatitis in the first 2 years of life, compared to feeding with cow’s milk formula.