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Effect of a whey hydrolysate prophylaxis of atopic disease
Y Vandenplas1, B Hauser, C Van den Borre
1Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
Insights
Giving high-risk infants whey hydrolysate formula in the first six months significantly reduced atopic manifestations and cow milk protein sensitivity by age one year compared to standard formula.
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Dermatology
Background:
- Infants with a family history of atopy are at increased risk for developing allergic diseases.
- Early feeding interventions may play a role in preventing or delaying atopic manifestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence of atopic manifestations in high-risk infants fed either whey hydrolysate or adapted formula.
- To compare the rates of cow milk protein sensitivity and other food sensitivities between the two feeding groups.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of high-risk infants was divided into two groups: one receiving whey hydrolysate and the other receiving adapted formula for the first six months.
- Atopic manifestations and food sensitivities were monitored up to 12 months of age.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcomes between groups.
Main Results:
- Whey hydrolysate significantly reduced atopic manifestations in the first six months (6.3% vs. 40%) and up to one year (21.8% vs. 48.6%).
- Cow milk protein sensitivity was lower in the whey hydrolysate group (15.6% vs. 42.8%).
- Sensitivities to other foods like egg and fish were comparable between groups.
Conclusions:
- Early administration of whey hydrolysate to at-risk infants can decrease the incidence of atopic disease up to 12 months.
- Whey hydrolysate appears to reduce cow milk protein sensitivity, but not sensitivities to other food allergens.
Abstract:
The incidence of atopic manifestations was analyzed in infants "at risk" because of histories of atopy in first degree relatives. The incidence of atopic manifestations was significantly reduced (P = .0011) during the first 6 months of life when only the whey hydrolysate was administered (2/32 infants, 6.3%) compared with the incidence when an adapted formula was given (14/35 infants, 40%). This beneficial effect continued during the 6 to 12-month period, after diversification of the diet at 6 months. At the age of 1 year, 7/32 (21.8%) of the infants in the whey hydrolysate group had presented with manifestations of probable atopic disease compared with 17/35 (48.6%) infants in the adapted formula group (P = .021). The incidence of cow milk protein sensitivity was evaluated at 5/32 (15.6%) in the hydrolysate group and 15/35 (42.8%) in the adapted formula group (P = .014). Other foods such as egg and fish may be responsible for manifestations in three infants in hydrolysate group and in five infants of the adapted group (9.4% and 14.3%, respectively NS). These preliminary data show that the administration of a whey hydrolysate during the first 6 months of life to babies "at risk" decreased the incidence of atopic disease up to the age of 12 months. The incidence of cow milk protein sensitivity appeared to be decreased, whereas the incidence of sensitivities to other food proteins was comparable in both groups.