Despite the formula being recommended in public health guidelines set out by theAustralasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, the new study, published onlinein the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found there was no benefit in usinghypoallergenic (partially hydrolysed whey) formula to prevent allergies in high-risk infantsup to seven years of age, compared to a conventional cow's milk based formula.
The trial, which is one the largest to test the effect of hypoallergenic baby formula,involved 620 infants and assessed whether using the formula decreased the risk ofallergy in later life.
Infants in the study were given either hypoallergenic, cow's milk or soy formula after thecessation of breastfeeding. Allergy testing was undertaken at six, 12 and 24 months andchildren were followed up again at six or seven years of age.
Lead authors David Hill, a Senior Consultant Allergist at the Murdoch ChildrensResearch Institute and Adrian Lowe, a research fellow at the Murdoch ChildrensResearch Institute and the Centre for MEGA Epidemiology, the University of Melbournesaid their findings did not support the recommendations that hypoallergenic formulashould be used after breast feeding as a preventive strategy for infants at high risk ofallergenic disease.
"In our study of high risk children, this 'hypoallergenic' formula did not show anybeneficial effect, when compared with a normal cows' milk based formula, for theprevention childhood eczema, asthma or hay fever up to seven years of age," Dr Lowesaid.
Dr Hill said: "Our findings do not support the role of hypoallergenic formula for theprevention of allergic disease. Families at high risk of allergy should continue to beencouraged to breast feed for the many known benefits associated with breastfeeding."
Source: University of Melbourne