Infant formulas containing hydrolysed protein for prevention of allergic disease and food allergy
Abstract
Background
Allergy is common and may be associated with foods, including cow's milk formula (CMF). Formulas containing hydrolysed proteins have been used to treat infants with allergy. However, it is unclear whether hydrolysed formulas can be advocated for prevention of allergy in infants.
Objectives
To compare effects on allergy and food allergy when infants are fed a hydrolysed formula versus CMF or human breast milk. If hydrolysed formulas are effective, to determine what type of hydrolysed formula is most effective, including extensively or partially hydrolysed formula (EHF/PHF). To determine which infants at low or high risk of allergy and which infants receiving early, short‐term or prolonged formula feeding may benefit from hydrolysed formulas.
Search methods
We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group supplemented by cross referencing of previous reviews and publications (updated August 2016).
Selection criteria
We searched for randomised and quasi‐randomised trials that compared use of a hydrolysed formula versus human milk or CMF. Trials with ≥ 80% follow‐up of participants were eligible for inclusion.
Data collection and analysis
We independently assessed eligibility of studies for inclusion, methodological quality and data extraction. Primary outcomes included clinical allergy, specific allergy and food allergy. We conducted meta‐analysis using a fixed‐effect (FE) model.
Main results
Two studies assessed the effect of three to four days' infant supplementation with an EHF whilst in hospital after birth versus pasteurised human milk feed. Results showed no difference in infant allergy or childhood cow's milk allergy (CMA). No eligible trials compared prolonged hydrolysed formula versus human milk feeding.
Two studies assessed the effect of three to four days' infant supplementation with an EHF versus a CMF. One large quasi‐random study reported a reduction in infant CMA of borderline significance among low‐risk infants (risk ratio (RR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 1.00).
Prolonged infant feeding with a hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF was associated with a reduction in infant allergy (eight studies, 2852 infants; FE RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.95; risk difference (RD) ‐0.04, 95% CI ‐0.08 to ‐0.01; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 25, 95% CI 12.5 to 100) and infant CMA (two studies, 405 infants; FE RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.86). We had substantial methodological concerns regarding studies and concerns regarding publication bias, as substantial numbers of studies including those in high‐risk infants have not comprehensively reported allergy outcomes (GRADE quality of evidence 'very low').
Prolonged infant feeding with a hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF was not associated with a difference in childhood allergy and led to no differences in specific allergy, including infant and childhood asthma, eczema and rhinitis and infant food allergy. Many of the analyses assessing specific allergy are underpowered.
Subroup analyses showed that infant allergy was reduced in studies that enrolled infants at high risk of allergy who used a hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF; used a PHF compared with a CMF; used prolonged and exclusive feeding of a hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF; and used a partially hydrolysed whey formula compared with a CMF. Studies that enrolled infants at high risk of allergy; used a PHF compared with a CMF; used prolonged and exclusive feeding of a hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF; and used a partially hydrolysed whey formula compared with a CMF found a reduction in infant CMA.
Authors' conclusions
We found no evidence to support short‐term or prolonged feeding with a hydrolysed formula compared with exclusive breast feeding for prevention of allergy. Very low‐quality evidence indicates that short‐term use of an EHF compared with a CMF may prevent infant CMA.
In infants at high risk of allergy not exclusively breast fed, very low‐quality evidence suggests that prolonged hydrolysed formula feeding compared with CMF feeding reduces infant allergy and infant CMA. Studies have found no difference in childhood allergy and no difference in specific allergy, including infant and childhood asthma, eczema and rhinitis and infant food allergy.
Very low‐quality evidence shows that prolonged use of a partially hydrolysed formula compared with a CMF for partial or exclusive feeding was associated with a reduction in infant allergy incidence and CMA incidence, and that prolonged use of an EHF versus a PHF reduces infant food allergy.
PICOs
Plain language summary
Formulas containing hydrolysed protein for prevention of allergy and food allergy in infants
Review question
Does feeding infants with a formula containing hydrolysed protein result in decreased risk of developing allergy such as asthma, dermatitis/eczema, hay fever and food allergy during infancy and childhood?
Background
Allergy is responsible for a substantial health burden among infants, children and adults. Early dietary intake may influence the development of allergic disease. When babies are not exclusively breast fed, use of hydrolysed formula instead of ordinary cow's milk formula may reduce allergy among babies and children, although additional studies are needed to confirm this. Infant formulas have been designed to lower the chance of infants developing allergy or food allergy. These include hydrolysed cow's milk and soy milk formulas. Hydrolysed formulas break down milk proteins into smaller, potentially less allergy‐producing proteins.
Results
This review of trials found no evidence to support feeding with a hydrolysed formula to prevent allergy in preference to exclusive breast feeding. For infants at high risk of allergy who are unable to be completely breast fed, limited evidence indicates that feeding with a hydrolysed formula compared with a cow's milk formula reduces allergy among babies and children, including cow's milk allergy (CMA). Concerns regarding quality of the evidence and consistency of the results indicate that continued study is needed.
Conclusions
Among infants at high risk of allergy who cannot be exclusively breast fed, very low‐quality evidence suggests that prolonged supplementation with a hydrolysed formula compared with a cow's milk formula reduces the risk of infant allergy and infant CMA. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
