Hypoallergenicity and efficacy of an amino acid-based formula in children with cow's milk and multiple food hypersensitivities.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the hypoallergenicity and efficacy of a pediatric amino acid-based formula (AAF), EleCare, for children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) and multiple food allergies (MFA).

STUDY DESIGN:

Hypoallergenicity was determined by performing blinded oral food challenges in 31 consecutive children with documented CMA. Growth, tolerance, and biochemical response were evaluated during a nonrandomized feeding study with each child serving as his or her own control.

RESULTS:

Thirty-one children (median age, 23.3 months; range, 6 months to 17.5 years) were recruited; 29 had MFA, 17 had acute reactions and cow's milk-specific IgE antibody, and 14 had allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis. At study entry, 23 were receiving another AAF; 13 had not tolerated extensively hydrolyzed formula. Eighteen subjects with allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis and/or MFA were followed up while receiving AAF for a median of 21 months (range, 7 to 40 months), with biochemical analysis performed at 4 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the change in weight or height National Center for Health Statistics z scores from entry; the percent of expected growth exceeded 90%. There was a small decline in percent eosinophils and increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin level (P < .05). Except for small increases in plasma leucine and valine levels (P < or = .006), the remaining biochemical markers were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS:

The AAF was hypoallergenic and effective in maintaining normal growth for children with CMA and MFA.

• Authors: S H Sicherer, S A Noone, C B Koerner, L Christie, A W Burks, H A Sampson
• Journal: The Journal of pediatrics (J Pediatr) Vol. 138 Issue 5 Pg. 688-93 (May 2001) ISSN: 0022-3476 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11343044 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Adolescent
• Amino Acids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Eosinophils (physiology)
• Female
• Food Analysis
• Food Hypersensitivity (therapy)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Infant
• Infant Food
• Male
• Milk Hypersensitivity (therapy)
• Treatment Outcome