EVALUATION OF AN EXTENSIVELY HYDROLYZED CASEIN-WHEY PROTEIN FORMULA IN IMMEDIATE COWS MILK PROTEIN HYPERSENSITIVITY

Background: Hydrolysate formulas are safe for most infants who are all ergic to cow's milk. The purpose of this study was to assess the clini cal tolerance and safety of an extensively hydrolyzed casein-whey prot ein formula in a homogeneous group of patients with immediate cow's mi lk hypersensitivity. Methods: The study population consisted of 33 inf ants in whom immediate cow's milk protein allergy had been diagnosed b y clinical data, evidence of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies, and positive results in a controlled challenge test with cow's milk prote ins. Results: The hydrolysate was well tolerated in 31 of the 33 patie nts, which represented a 94% effectiveness. Using 95% confidence inter vals generated for a binomial outcome (reaction-no reaction), the case in-whey protein formula is tolerated by 84.4% to 99% of infants with i mmediate immunoglobulin-E-mediated cow's milk protein allergy. These f igures are in the range of values recommended for this type of product . Conclusions: This extensively hydrolyzed casein-whey protein formula is generally safe to feed children with immediate hypersensitivity to cow's milk. However, it is advisable that the first intakes be given under direct medical supervision, in that the occurrence of adverse re actions in highly sensitive infants cannot be unequivocally excluded. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.