Comparison of Breast, Cow, and Soy Feedings in the Prevention of Onset of Allergic Disease Five-year follow-up of high-risk infants with family history of allergy who were exclusively breast-fed or fed partial whey hydrolysate, soy, and conventional cow's milk formulas. Cumulative incidence of atopic disorders in high risk infants fed whey hydrolysate, soy, and conventional cow milk formulas. Effect of feeding whey hydrolysate, soy and conventional cow milk formulas on incidence of atopic disease in high risk infants. Allergies in high-risk schoolchildren after early intervention with cow's milk protein hydrolysates: 10-year results from the German Infant Nutritional Intervention (GINI) study. A randomized, single-blind and crossover study of an amino acid-based milk formula in treating young children with atopic dermatitis. Effect of combined maternal and infant food-allergen avoidance on development of atopy in early infancy: a randomized study. The effect of hydrolyzed cow's milk formula for allergy prevention in the first year of life: the German Infant Nutritional Intervention Study, a randomized double-blind trial. Certain hydrolyzed formulas reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis but not that of asthma: three-year results of the German Infant Nutritional Intervention Study. Comparison of a partially hydrolyzed infant formula with two extensively hydrolyzed formulas for allergy prevention: a prospective, randomized study. Prospective, controlled, multi-center study on the effect of an amino-acid-based formula in infants with cow's milk allergy/intolerance and atopic dermatitis. Partial Protein-Hydrolyzed Infant Formula Decreased Food Sensitization but Not Allergic Diseases in a Prospective Birth Cohort Study An extensively hydrolysed casein-based formula for infants with cows' milk protein allergy: tolerance/hypo-allergenicity and growth catch-up. Development of atopic disease after early administration of cow milk formula Effect of a partially hydrolyzed whey infant formula at weaning on risk of allergic disease in high-risk children: a randomized controlled trial. Nutritional errors in the first months of life and their association with asthma and atopy in preschool children. Early diet of preterm infants and development of allergic or atopic disease: randomised prospective study.
It has been reported that the feeding of cow 's milk may enhance the development of atopy in predisposed infants . A prospect i ve study following children from birth through 15 years of age in a private pediatric practice was design ed to determine if the food ingested during the first months of life is related to the development of atopy in the offspring of allergic families . Each of 328 children with a positive family history of allergy was assigned to one of three groups . according to the feeding preference of the parents : 48 were fed breast milk ; 79 , soy-based formula ; and 201 , cow 's milk formula . All groups had egg , citrus , tomato , and wheat restrictions as well as inhalant allergen avoidance . These were compared to a control group of 580 children with no family history of allergy . Breast fed infants were found to have approximately one-half the incidence of atopy of cow 's milk or soy formula fed infants from atopic families when followed for up to 15 years . Soy feeding produced no advantage over cow 's milk in the prophylaxis of allergic disease . There was a threefold increase in clinical ly apparent atopic disease in offspring of allergic families when compared to controls but only a two-fold increase if the infant was breast fed . These results support the hypothesis that breast feeding and delay of exposure to known allergens may reduce the frequency of clinical allergic disease in the offspring of allergic families BACKGROUND Allergy is a common cause of illness . The effect of feeding different infant formulas on the incidence of atopic disease and food allergy was assessed in a prospect i ve r and omized double-blind study of high-risk infants with a family history of atopy . METHODS 216 high-risk infants whose mothers had elected not to breast-feed were r and omized to receive exclusively a partial whey hydrolysate formula or a conventional cow 's milk formula or a soy formula until 6 months of age . Seventy-two high risk infants breast-fed for > or = 4 months were also studied . RESULTS Follow-up until 5 years of age showed a significant lowering in the cumulative incidence of atopic disease in the breast-fed ( odds ratio 0.422 [ 0.200 - 0.891 ] ) and the whey hydrolysate ( odds ratio 0.322 [ 0.159 - 0.653 ) groups , compared with the conventional cow 's milk group . Soy formula was not effective ( odds ratio 0.759 [ 0.384 - 1.501 ] ) . The occurrence of both eczema and asthma was lowest in the breast-fed and whey hydrolysate groups and was comparable in the cow 's milk and soy groups . Similar significant differences were noted in the 18 - 60 month period prevalence of eczema and asthma . Eczema was less severe in the whey hydrolysate group compared with the other groups . Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges showed a lower prevalence of food allergy in the whey hydrolysate group compared with the other formula groups . CONCLUSIONS Exclusive breast-feeding or feeding with a partial whey hydrolysate formula is associated with lower incidence of atopic disease and food allergy . This is a cost-effective approach to the prevention of allergic disease in children A recent increase in the prevalence of atopic disorders and the enormous costs of management of atopic patients have prompted attempts at prevention . We have examined the effect of exclusive breast feeding and of feeding different infant formulas on incidence of atopic disease in a prospect i ve r and omized controlled study . Seventy-two infants were recruited into each of the following groups : cow milk whey hydrolysate formula ( NAN/HA ) conventional cow milk formula ( Similac ) , soy-based formula ( Isomil ) , and exclusive breast feeding for greater than 4 months .  The cumulative incidence of atopic eczema , recurrent wheezing , rhinitis , gastrointestinal symptoms , and colic were noted . Skin prick tests and radioallergosorbent tests for IgE antibodies to milk and soy were performed . At 12 and 18 months of age , the incidence of atopic eczema as also that of all atopic symptoms was significantly lower and similar in the breast-fed and whey hydrolysate groups , compared with the cow milk and soy formula groups . IgE antibodies were detected more often in the cow milk and soy formula groups , especially the former . Among symptomatic infants , fewer skin positive prick tests were seen in the soy group compared with the cow milk group . Our observations show that among infants at high risk of developing atopic disease because of positive family history , exclusive breast feeding or whey hydrolysate formula is associated with a lower incidence and thus a delay in the occurrence of allergic disorders compared with groups fed conventional cow milk or soy formulas The effect of feeding different infant formulas on incidence of atopic disease was assessed in a prospect i ve double-blind r and omized controlled trial among " high risk " infants with family history of atopy among first-degree relatives . The incidence of atopic eczema , wheezing , rhinitis , gastrointestinal symptoms , and colic was noted and serum IgE antibodies to milk were estimated . Seventy-two infants were recruited into each of the following groups : cow milk whey hydrolysate formula ( NAN/HA ) , conventional cow milk formula ( Similac ) , soy-based formula ( Isomil ) , and exclusive breast feeding for greater than or equal to 4 months .  The number of infants who exited for reasons other than atopy and were excluded from analysis were 4 , 5 , 4 , and 12 in the four groups , respectively . The incidence of one or more symptoms of possible allergic etiology was five of 68 infants fed NAN/HA , 24 of 67 infants fed Similac , 25 of 68 infants fed Isomil , and 12 of 60 breast-fed infants . Among symptomatic infants , skin prick test to milk proteins was positive in four out of five infants fed NAN/HA , 16 of 24 fed Similac , 2 of 25 fed Isomil , and 7 of 12 breast-fed . IgE antibodies to milk were found in 2 of 68 , 9 of 67 , 0 of 68 , and 6 of 60 infants in the four groups , respectively . It is concluded that exclusive breast feeding for more than 4 months is partially protective against the development of atopic disease among high risk infants . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS BACKGROUND The long-term effect of nutritional intervention with hydrolysate infant formulas on  allergic manifestations in high-risk children is uncertain . OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate the effect of hydrolysate infant formulas on allergic phenotypes in children with family history of allergies at school age . METHODS We analyzed data from participants of the prospect i ve German Infant Nutritional Intervention study after 10 years of follow-up . At birth , children were r and omly assigned to receive , for the first 4 months , one of 4 blinded formulas as breast milk substitute , if necessary : partially hydrolyzed whey formula ( pHF-W ) , extensively hydrolyzed whey formula ( eHF-W ) , extensively hydrolyzed casein formula ( eHF-C ) , or st and ard cow 's milk formula . Outcomes were parent-reported , physician-diagnosed allergic diseases . Log-binomial regression models were used for statistical analysis . RESULTS The relative risk for the cumulative incidence of any allergic disease in the intention-to-treat analysis ( n = 2252 ) was 0.87 ( 95 % CI , 0.77 - 0.99 ) for pHF-W , 0.94 ( 95 % CI , 0.83 - 1.07 ) for eHF-W , and 0.83 ( 95 % CI , 0.72 - 0.95 ) for eHF-C compared with st and ard cow 's milk formula . The corresponding figures for atopic eczema/dermatits ( AD ) were 0.82 ( 95 % CI , 0.68 - 1.00 ) , 0.91 ( 95 % CI , 0.76 - 1.10 ) , and 0.72 ( 95 % CI , 0.58 - 0.88 ) , respectively . In the per- protocol analysis ( n = 988 ) effects were stronger . The period prevalence of AD at 7 to 10 years was significantly reduced with eHF-C in this analysis , but there was no preventive effect on asthma or allergic rhinitis . CONCLUSION The significant preventive effect on the cumulative incidence of allergic diseases , particularly AD , with pHF-W and eHF-C persisted until 10 years without rebound , whereas eHF-W showed no significant risk reduction . There is insufficient evidence of ongoing preventive activity at 7 to 10 years of age Cow 's milk and soy protein allergies are commonly associated with atopic dermatitis ( AD ) in young children .  Amino acid (AA)-based elemental milk formula may improve AD control in these patients . This study investigates the efficacy of AA-based formula in treating young AD patients irrespective of their food allergy status . AD patients younger than 3 yr old were eligible . Sensitization to food allergens was ascertained by skin prick tests and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) assay . Patients were then r and omly allocated to take either active treatment or pre-existing formulae ( placebo ) for 6 wk . They were allowed a 6-wk washout period before crossed over to the other intervention for another 6 wk . Fifteen AD patients , with median ( interquartile range , IQR ) age of 1.4 ( 0.6 - 2.6 ) yr , were recruited . Their median ( IQR ) SCORAD score was 23.9 ( 10.5 - 29.7 ) . Seven of them were sensitized to cow 's milk or soybean . Among 11 patients who completed the study , the median changes for all scores and urinary eosinophil protein X ( EPX ) concentration were not statistically significant . There was also no evidence of carry-over effects for SCORAD and its various components and global health score , except for urinary EPX concentration ( p = 0.05 ) . Our results do not support the use of AA-based elemental milk formula in treating young children with AD irrespective of their food allergy status The effect of maternal and infant avoidance of allergenic foods on food allergy was examined in a prenatally r and omized , controlled trial of infants of atopic parents . The diet of the prophylactic-treated group ( N = 103 ) included ( 1 ) maternal avoidance of cow 's milk , egg , and peanut during the third trimester of pregnancy and lactation and ( 2 ) infant use of casein hydrolysate ( Nutramigen ) for supplementation or weaning , and avoidance of solid foods for 6 months ; cow 's milk , corn , soy , citrus , and wheat , for 12 months ; and egg , peanut , and fish , for 24 months . In the control group ( N = 185 ) , mothers had unrestricted diets , and infants followed American Academy of Pediatrics feeding guidelines . The cumulative prevalence of atopy was lower at 12 months in the prophylactic-treated ( 16.2 % ) compared to the control ( 27.1 % ) group ( p = 0.039 ) , result ing from reduced food-associated atopic dermatitis , urticaria and /or gastrointestinal disease by 12 months ( 5.1 % versus 16.4 % ; p = 0.007 ) , and any positive food skin test by 24 months ( 16.5 % versus 29.4 % ; p = 0.019 ) , caused primarily by fewer positive milk skin tests ( 1 % versus 12.4 % ; p = 0.001 ) . The prevalences of allergic rhinitis , asthma , and inhalant skin tests were unaffected . Serum IgE levels in the prophylactic-treated group were marginally lower only at 4 months . Thus , reduced exposure of infants to allergenic foods appeared to reduce food sensitization and allergy primarily during the first year of life BACKGROUND The potential of extensively or partially hydrolyzed formulas to reduce the risks for allergies is controversial . OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the preventive effect of differently hydrolyzed formulas compared with cow 's milk formula ( CMF ) in high-risk infants . METHODS Between 1995 and 1998 , 2252 infants with a hereditary risk for atopy were enrolled in the German Infant Nutritional Intervention Study and r and omly assigned at birth to one of 4 blinded formulas : CMF , partially hydrolyzed whey formula , extensively hydrolyzed whey formula , and extensively hydrolyzed casein formula ( eHF-C ) . The primary end point at 1 year of age was the presence of allergic manifestation , which was defined as atopic dermatitis ( AD ) , gastrointestinal manifestation of food allergy , allergic urticaria , or a combination of these factors . RESULTS At 12 months per protocol , analysis was performed on 945 infants exposed to study formula : 304 ( 13.5 % ) infants had left the study , 138 ( 6.1 % ) infants were excluded because of noncompliance , and 865 infants were exclusively breast-fed the first 4 months of life . The incidence of allergic manifestation was significantly reduced by using eHF-C compared with CMF ( 9 % vs 16 % ; adjusted OR , 0.51 ; 95 % CI , 0.28 - 0.92 ) , and the incidence of AD was significantly reduced by using eHF-C ( OR , 0.42 ; 95 % CI , 0.22 - 0.79 ) and partially hydrolyzed whey formula ( OR , 0.56 ; 95 % CI , 0.32 - 0.99 ) . Family history of AD was a significant risk factor and modified the preventive effect of the hydrolysates . CONCLUSIONS Prevention of allergic diseases in the first year of life is feasible by means of dietary intervention but influenced by family history of AD . The preventive effect of each hydrolyzed formula needs to be clinical ly evaluated BACKGROUND Recommendations for primary prevention of allergic diseases in high-risk children include feeding with hydrolyzed formulas if breast-feeding is insufficient . OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the German Infant Nutritional Intervention study was to investigate the allergy preventive effect of 3 hydrolyzed formulas compared with cow 's milk formula in the first 3 years of life in a r and omized , double-blind trial . METHODS Between 1995 and 1998 , 2252 newborns with atopic heredity were allocated to a group receiving cow 's milk formula , partially or extensively hydrolyzed whey formula , or extensively hydrolyzed casein formula as a milk substitute for the first 4 months if breast-feeding was insufficient . Main outcome parameters were allergic manifestations , atopic dermatitis ( AD ) , and asthma . RESULTS After 3 years , 396 of 2252 children ( 17.6 % ) had dropped out . Breast-fed infants without formula feeding during the intervention ( n = 889 ) were considered separately . A significant reduction of the incidence of AD was achieved with the extensively hydrolyzed casein formula in the intention-to-treat ( ITT ; n = 1363 ) and per protocol ( PP ; n = 904 ) analyses ( ITT : population odds ratio [ 95 % CI ] , 0.67 [ 0.45 - 0.99 ] ; PP : adjusted odds ratio [ OR(adj ) ] , 0.53 [ 0.32 - 0.88 ] ) , and with the partially hydrolyzed whey formula in the PP analysis ( ITT : population odds ratio , 0.76 [ 0.52 - 1.11 ] ; PP : OR(adj ) , 0.60 [ 0.37 - 0.97 ] ) . None of the formulas reduced the incidence of asthma . CONCLUSION The risk for AD , but not for asthma , can be reduced with certain cow 's milk hydrolyzates in high-risk infants when breast-feeding is insufficient . CLINICAL IMPLICATION S Early nutritional intervention in high-risk children has significant influence on the incidence of AD , but not of asthma The aim of this study was to compare the allergy-preventive effect of a partially hydrolyzed formula with two extensively hydrolyzed formulas , in infants with a high risk for development of allergic disease . High-risk infants from four Danish centres were included in the period from June 1994 to July 1995 . Five-hundred and ninety-five high-risk infants were identified . High-risk infants were defined as having biparental atopy , or a single atopic first-degree relative combined with cord blood immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) > or = 0.3 kU/l . At birth all infants were r and omized to one of three different blinded formulas .  All mothers had unrestricted diets during pregnancy and lactation and were encouraged to breast-feed exclusively . If breast-feeding was insufficient , one of the three formulas , according to r and omization , was given during the first 4 months . It was recommended not to introduce cow 's milk , cow 's milk products . and solid foods until the age of 4 months . After the age of 4 months a normal unrestricted diet and conventional cow 's milk-based formula were given when needed . All infants were followed-up prospect ively with interview and physical examination at the age of 6 , 12 , and 18 months , and if any possible atopic symptoms were reported . If food allergy was suspected , controlled elimination/challenge procedures were performed in a hospital setting . Of 550 infants included in the study , 514 were seen at all visits and 36 were excluded owing to noncompliance . Of 478 infants who completed the study , 232 were exclusively breast-fed , 79 received an extensively hydrolyzed casein formula ( Nutramigen ) , 82 an extensively hydrolyzed whey formula ( Profylac ) , and 85 a partially hydrolyzed whey formula ( Nan HA ) , during the first 4 months of life . These four groups were identical in regard to atopic predisposition , cord blood IgE , birthplace , and gender . Exclusively breast-fed children were exposed less to tobacco smoke and pets at home and belonged to higher social classes , whereas the three formula groups were identical concerning environmental factors . The frequency of breast-feeding was high ; only eight ( 2 % ) children were not breast-fed at all . The three formula groups were identical in regard to duration of breast-feeding and age at introduction of formula and solid foods . No significant differences were found in the three groups of infants receiving formula milk regarding the cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis or respiratory symptoms . The cumulative incidence of parental-reported cow 's milk allergy was significantly higher in children fed partially hydrolyzed formula ( Nan HA ) compared with extensively hydrolyzed formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) at 12 and 18 months ( NanHA , 7.1 % ; Nutramigen , 2.5 % ; Profylac , 0 % ; p=0.033 ) . The cumulative incidence of confirmed cow 's milk allergy was 1.3 % ( three of 232 ) in exclusively breast-fed infants , 0.6 % ( one of 161 ) in infants fed extensively hydrolyzed formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) , and 4.7%(four of 85 ) in infants fed partially hydrolyzed formula ( Nan HA ) . Partially hydrolyzed formula was found to be less effective than extensively hydrolyzed formula in preventing cow 's milk allergy , 0.6 % vs. 4.7 % ( p=0.05 ) , but because of the small number of cases the results should be interpreted with caution . Compared with other similar studies the frequency ofatopic symptoms was low , even though the dietetic intervention did not include either maternal diet during lactation or dietary restrictions to the children after the age of 4 months Cow 's milk allergy/intolerance is treated by complete avoidance of cow 's milk proteins . Because cow 's milk is an important food for infants , its avoidance may lead to an increased risk of growth impairment . Whilst there is evidence for the beneficial effects of extensively hydrolyzed cow 's milk formulate ( eHF ) in infants with cow 's milk allergy/intolerance , little is known about the effects of amino-acid-based formulae ( AA ) in such infants . We therefore performed a prospect i ve , controlled , multi-center trial to study the efficacy of AA in comparison with eHF , on the growth and clinical symptoms of 73 infants ( median age 5.7 months ) with cow 's milk allergy/intolerance and atopic dermatitis . Cow 's milk allergy/intolerance was proven in all infants by double-blind , placebo-controlled food-challenge . We observed a significant improvement in the SCORAD index in both groups , from a mean of 24.6 , at entry , to a mean of 10.7 ( p < 0.0001 ) after 6 months . In the AA group there was a significant increase in the length st and ard deviation score ( p < 0.04 ) , whilst there was no difference in the eHF group . The weight-for-length values were stable in both groups . The energy intake during the study was similar in both groups . Both an AA and eHF result ed in a significant clinical improvement in infants with an early onset of symptoms of cow 's milk allergy/intolerance . Feeding an AA result ed in improved growth compared with feeding eHF , despite similar dietary intakes , and may therefore be considered as a beneficial alternative in infants with severe cow 's milk allergy intolerance Background : Exposure to cow ’s milk protein in early infancy could lead to increased rates of allergic diseases later in life . We investigated whether feeding a protein-hydrolyzed formula ( HF ) in the first 6 months of life decreased allergic diseases up to 36 months later . Methods : Newborns who had at least 1 first-degree family member with a history of atopy and could not breast-feed were enrolled . They were fed with HF or cow ’s milk infant formula ( CM ) for at least 6 months via an open-label protocol and were monitored prospect ively at 6 , 18 and 36 months of age to assess allergy sensitization and allergic diseases . Results : A total of 1,002 infants were enrolled and 679 infants were consistently fed the same formula for the first 6 months of life ( 345 HF and 334 CM ) . The percentage of food sensitization ( especially to milk protein ) was significantly lower in the HF group than in the CM group at 36 months ( 12.7 vs. 23.4 % , p = 0.048 ) . There was no significant difference in the prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization between the groups . Occurrence of allergic diseases during the first 3 years of life was significantly correlated with aeroallergen sensitization , but not to food allergen sensitization , parental atopy or feeding types . Conclusions : Infants fed with HF during the first 6 months of life had a significantly lower percentage of sensitization to milk protein allergens , but not allergic diseases during the first 3 years of life . Avoidance of cow ’s milk protein alone in infancy is not enough to decrease rates of allergic diseases Children with cows ' milk protein allergy ( CMPA ) are at risk of insufficient length and weight gain , and the nutritional efficacy of hypo-allergenic formulas should be carefully assessed . In 2008 , a trial assessed the impact of probiotic supplementation of an extensively hydrolysed casein-based formula ( eHCF ) on acquisition of tolerance in 119 infants with CMPA . First analysis of the study results showed that the studied formula allowed improvement of food-related symptoms . The scoring of atopic dermatitis ( SCORAD ) index was assessed at r and omisation and after 6 months of feeding . A post hoc analysis was performed using WHO growth software 's nutritional survey module ( WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 ) . All infants who were fed the study formula tolerated it well . The SCORAD index significantly improved from r and omisation to 6 months of feeding with the study formula . Anthropometric data indicated a significant improvement in the weight-for-age , length-for-age and weight-for-length z scores , as well as in the restoration of normal BMI . The probiotic supplementation did not show any impact on these parameters . The present data showed that this eHCF was clinical ly tolerated and significantly improved the SCORAD index and growth indices We prospect ively studied the incidence of atopic disease in healthy term infants with a birth weight between ‐1 and ‐2 SD who were fed a cow milk formula during the first few days of life . A total of 216 infants were r and omized to receive either early feeding with formula before normal breastfeeding was started ( n= 112 ) or “ normal feeding ” with breastmilk ( n= 104 ) . Symptoms of allergy developed in 18%% of the infants before 18 months of age in the formula fed group , as compared to 33 % in the breastfed group ( P < 0.05 ) . The difference was confined to the group of infants with a history of allergy in two family members . Thus , 11 % of the formula‐fed infants developed allergy symptoms , as compared to 61 % of the control infants ( P < 0.01 ) . Our study implies that early feeding during the first days of life with a cow milk formula , before the introduction of breastmilk , may reduce the incidence of allergy symptoms before 18 months of age in infants with a family history of allergy BACKGROUND Partially hydrolyzed whey formula ( pHWF ) has been recommended for infants with a family history of allergic disease at the cessation of exclusive breast-feeding to promote oral tolerance and prevent allergic diseases . OBJECTIVE To determine whether feeding infants pHWF reduces their risk of allergic disease . METHODS A single-blind ( participant ) r and omized controlled trial was conducted to compare allergic outcomes between infants fed a conventional cow 's milk formula , a pHWF , or a soy formula . Before birth , 620 infants with a family history of allergic disease were recruited and r and omized to receive the allocated formula at cessation of breast-feeding . Skin prick tests to 6 common allergens ( milk , egg , peanut , dust mite , rye grass , and cat d and er ) were performed at 6 , 12 , and 24 months . The primary outcome was development of allergic manifestations ( eczema and food reactions ) measured 18 times in the first 2 years of life . RESULTS Follow-up was complete for 93 % ( 575/620 ) at 2 years and 80 % ( 495/620 ) at 6 or 7 years of age . There was no evidence that infants allocated to the pHWF ( odds ratio , 1.21 ; 95 % CI , 0.81 - 1.80 ) or the soy formula ( odds ratio , 1.26 ; 95 % CI , 0.84 - 1.88 ) were at a lower risk of allergic manifestations in infancy compared with conventional formula . There was also no evidence of reduced risk of skin prick test reactivity or childhood allergic disease . CONCLUSION Despite current dietary guidelines , we found no evidence to support recommending the use of pHWF at weaning for the prevention of allergic disease in high-risk infants OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of cow 's milk in the first year of life on the diagnosis of  asthma , wheezing , and atopy in children aged 3 to 4 years . METHODS This is a cohort study nested in a r and omized field trial investigating the effectiveness of dietary guidelines during the first year of life of children in the city of São Leopoldo , southern Brazil . Children who had their diet monitored during the first year of life , in a primary study , were revisited three years later , when their parents answered a question naire related to respiratory problems , applied during home visits by trained interviewers . Children were also skin-prick tested to assess responses to common environmental allergens . RESULTS Of the 397 children followed during the first year of life , 354 were reassessed between 3 and 4 years of age . Prevalence of wheezing , evaluated for the 12 months prior to question naires , was 21.3 % , while prevalence of asthma and atopy was 5.5 and 28.7 % , respectively . Children  fed cow 's milk previous to being four months of life were significantly more likely to have asthma between three and four years of age ( OR 3.22 ; 95%CI 1.05 - 9.80 ) . In the same line , exclusive breastfeeding for a period shorter than six months was marginally associated with atopy . CONCLUSIONS The early introduction of cow 's milk was an important risk factor for triggering asthma/wheeze symptoms at the age of 4 years . Exclusive breastfeeding for longer than six months was also potentially associated with protection against the development of atopy . The results of this study suggest that dietary interventions during the first year of life have the potential to reduce the impact of asthma , and possibly , atopy OBJECTIVE --To study the effect of early diet on the development of allergic reactions in infants born preterm . DESIGN --Two r and omised prospect i ve trails . In trail A infants were r and omly allocated banked donor milk or preterm formula as their sole diet or ( separately r and omised ) as a supplement to their mother 's expressed breast milk . In trial B infants were allocated term or preterm formula . A blind follow up examination was done 18 months after the expected date of birth . SETTING --Neonatal units of hospitals in Cambridge , Ipswich , King 's Lynn , Norwich , and Sheffield . Outpatient follow up . PARTICIPANTS --777 Infants with a birth weight less than 1850 g born during 1982 to 1984 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES --Development of eczema , allergic reactions to food or drugs , and asthma or wheezing by nine and 18 months after term . Whenever possible the observations were confirmed by rechallenge or clinical examination . RESULTS --At 18 months after term there was no difference in the incidence of allergic reactions between dietary groups in either trial . In the subgroup of infants with a family history of atopy , however , those in trial A who received preterm formula rather than human milk had a significantly greater risk of developing one or more allergic reactions ( notably eczema ) by 18 months ( odds ratio 3.6 ; 95 % confidence interval 1.4 to 9.1 ) . CONCLUSIONS --Feeding neonates on formulas based on cows ' milk , including those with a high protein content , did not increase the overall risk of allergy . Nevertheless , in the subgroup with a family history of atopy early exposure to cows ' milk increased the risk of a wide range of allergic reactions , especially eczema
Feeding soya-based formula as opposed to st and ard cow 's milk formula did not reduce the risk of having asthma or wheeze at any age .
In infants with at least one first degree relative with atopy , hydrolysed formula for a minimum of 4 months combined with dietary restrictions and environment measures may reduce the risk of developing asthma or wheeze in the first year of life .
There is insufficient evidence to suggest that soya-based milk formula has any benefit
BACKGROUND In infants with a family history of atopy , food allergen avoidance has been advocated as means of preventing the development of atopic disease when breast-feeding is not possible or supplemental feeding is needed .
Most infant formulas are based on cow 's milk protein .
Alternative choices include soya based and hydrolysed cows milk formulas .
OBJECTIVES To estimate the effect of dietary avoidance of cow 's milk protein on the development of asthma or wheeze in children .