ALTERNATIVE MILK FORMULAS IN ALLERGIES TO PROTEINS IN COWS MILK

A variety of ''hypoallergenic'' formulas have appeared on the market o ver the last few years for feeding lactating infants prone to a high a topic risk of allergy to cow's milk. These formulas consist of soya pr eparations, hydrolyzed proteins and so-called basic formulas. This pap er describes the main characteristics of such formulas, with particula r emphasis on their tolerance, indications, related immunological aspe cts and antigenic capabilities. Notifications of anaphylactoid reactio ns with hydrolyzed proteins and the possibility of interactions with t he IgE antibodies in cow's milk indicate such formulas in cases. of no n-IgE-mediated intolerance. Although soya preparations may be allergen ic, they do not present interactions with the proteins in cow's milk, thus, they are particularly indicated in children with protein allergy to cow's milk with specific IgE antibodies.