[Primary allergy prevention: partially or extensively hydrolyzed infant formulas?]

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Pediatric Nutrition
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Atopic disorders, including food allergy, eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, are increasing globally.
• Infants from high-risk families may benefit from early allergen avoidance strategies.
• Hydrolyzed infant formulas are considered for allergy prevention when breastfeeding is not feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the allergy preventive potential of partially hydrolyzed formula (p-HF) and extensively hydrolyzed formula (e-HF).
• To provide guidance on formula selection for high-risk infants based on family history of atopic disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on hydrolyzed formulas and allergy prevention in high-risk infants.
• Analysis of the efficacy of p-HF and e-HF in preventing the development of atopic disease.

Main Results:

• Hydrolyzed infant formulas are recommended for the first six months of life for infants from atopic families when breastfeeding is not possible.
• Partially hydrolyzed formula (p-HF) offers protection for high-risk infants without a family history of eczema.
• Extensively hydrolyzed formula (e-HF) is recommended for high-risk infants with a family history of eczema.

Conclusions:

• Hydrolyzed infant formulas play a role in preventing the development of atopic disease in high-risk infants.
• Tailoring formula choice based on family history of eczema can optimize allergy prevention strategies.