Newborns allergic to cow's milk may tolerate hydrolyzed whey-protein formula: Study

Netherlands: Children and newborns with cow's milk allergies tolerated an extensively hydrolyzed whey-protein formula, giving adequate nutrition and allowing normal development curves, says an article published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.

Cow's milk protein (CM) is one of the most prevalent food allergies (FAs) in children, with a region-dependent frequency of 2–3%. The immunological response to CM proteins might be IgE-mediated, non-IgE-mediated, or a combination of the two. It also varies in terms of symptom onset and the organ involved. Extensively hydrolyzed formulas are indicated for the nutritional treatment of babies with cow's milk allergies. Lamia Dahdah and colleagues investigated the growth, hypoallergenicity, and gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of a novel extensively hydrolyzed whey-protein formula in children with CMA.

34 children with confirmed CMA (74% IgE-mediated) participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind food challenge with an extensively hydrolyzed whey-protein formula established with non-porcine enzymes, augmented with prebiotic short-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, arachidonic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Children who were tolerant to the extensively hydrolyzed whey-protein formula took part in a 7-day open food challenge with this eHWF. Anthropometrics and GI tolerability were evaluated in a 16-week follow-up.

The key findings of this study were as follows:

1. 25 of the 34 infants who began the double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge with the eHWF completed the DBPCFC and 7-day open challenge without substantial protocol violations and tested negative for both challenges.

2. One kid had a late mild eczematous allergic response during the optional follow-up period, suggesting the need to closely monitor individuals who begin a new formula.

3. The World Health Organization growth curves were followed for weight and length increase. The frequency and consistency of feces changed after taking the test recipe.

In conclusion, the findings of this study are consistent with the worldwide hypoallergenic requirements (American Academy of Pediatrics), which specify that more than 90% of CMA children must accept the formula. The formula is also linked to normal GI tolerability and growth curves.

Reference:

Dahdah, L., Roelofs, M., Knipping, K., de Vries, E., Rijnierse, A., Garssen, J., Brand, P. L. P., & Fiocchi, A. (2022). Hypoallergenicity assessment of an extensively hydrolyzed whey‐protein formula in cow's milk allergic infants. In Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (Vol. 33, Issue 6). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.13814