Evaluation of an Amino Acid-Based Formula in Infants Not Responding to Extensively Hydrolyzed Protein Formula

Nearly 2% to 3% of infants and children younger than 3 years have confirmed cow's milk protein allergy with multiple clinical presentations including atopic dermatitis (AD), diarrhea, and vomiting/spitting up. Although most infants with cow's milk protein allergy experience clinical improvement with the use of an extensively hydrolyzed (EH) formula, highly sensitive infants may require an amino acid-based formula. In this observational, prospective study, 30 infants (1-12 months of age) with a history of weight loss and persistent allergic manifestations while on an EH formula were provided an amino acid-based formula for 12 weeks. Mean weight gain (z score change) improved +0.43 +/- 0.28 (mean +/- standard deviation) after the 12-week feeding period. Improvement was observed for many allergic symptoms including significant decreases in AD severity (P=0.02). These results indicate the new amino acid-based infant formula supported healthy weight gain and improvement in allergic manifestations in infants not responding to EH formulas.