Hydrolyzed formulas, originally developed as an alternative to infant formulas containing cow's milk or soy proteins, have been used to treat food allergies in infants with moms who can't breastfeed. But do they help to reduce the risk of allergies in infants with a family history of allergies.
Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine examined 22 previously published studies that evaluated the effectiveness of hydrolyzed formulas in infants. The studies compared the allergy-preventing effectiveness of hydrolyzed formulas, compared to breastfeeding, cow's milk formulas, soy formulas, and combinations of these other formulas
In general, children who consumed only hydrolyzed formula had a lower rate of allergies for up to 5 years after birth, compared to infants fed traditional cow's milk formulas. Researchers concluded that using hydrolyzed formulas reduced the risk of allergies among infants whose parents had allergies (having a family history of allergies puts an infant at high risk for developing them, too).
What This Means to You: According to the results of this study, babies at high risk may have a reduced risk of developing allergies if they are fed hydrolyzed formulas. Hydrolyzed formulas marketed in the United States include the brand names Nutramigen, Alimentum, Pregestimil, and Nestle Good Start Supreme. If your child has an increased risk of allergies because of a family history of the disease, you can reduce your child's risk by breastfeeding as long as possible. If breastfeeding isn't possible, discuss with your child's doctor the potential benefits of using a hydrolyzed formula.
Source: Tiffani Hays, MS, RD, LN; Robert A. Wood, MD; Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, September 2005
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005
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