Effect of feeding whey hydrolysate, soy and conventional cow milk formulas on incidence of atopic disease in high risk infants

The effect of feeding different infant formulas on incidence of atopic disease was assessed in a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial among "high risk" infants with family history of atopy among first-degree relatives. The incidence of atopic eczema, wheezing, rhinitis, gastrointestinal symptoms, and colic was noted and serum IgE antibodies to milk were estimated. Seventy-two infants were recruited into each of the following groups: cow milk whey hydrolysate formula (NAN/HA), conventional cow milk formula (Similac), soy-based formula (Isomil), and exclusive breast feeding for greater than or equal to 4 months. The number of infants who exited for reasons other than atopy and were excluded from analysis were 4, 5, 4, and 12 in the four groups, respectively. The incidence of one or more symptoms of possible allergic etiology was five of 68 infants fed NAN/HA, 24 of 67 infants fed Similac, 25 of 68 infants fed Isomil, and 12 of 60 breast-fed infants. Among symptomatic infants, skin prick test to milk proteins was positive in four out of five infants fed NAN/HA, 16 of 24 fed Similac, 2 of 25 fed Isomil, and 7 of 12 breast-fed. IgE antibodies to milk were found in 2 of 68, 9 of 67, 0 of 68, and 6 of 60 infants in the four groups, respectively. It is concluded that exclusive breast feeding for more than 4 months is partially protective against the development of atopic disease among high risk infants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)