Hydrolysed protein formulas: thoughts from the Isle of Wight meeting

The meeting held on the Isle of Wight on 3 March 1995 was organised to discuss some of the recent evidence concerning the use of hydrolysed milk formulas not only in the treatment of cow's milk allergy but also in programmes designed to reduce or prevent other atopic disease. These products and their prophylactic use in particular have generated an amount of controversy firstly when they were introduced as a starting formula in the United States and secondly in Europe where paediatric, allergy and nutrition groups have issued various statements on their use (ESPGAN, 1993; Bjorksten, 1994; ESPACI, 1993; Bindels & Boerma, 1994). The Isle of Wight meeting did not attempt to produce a concensus statement. Nor is this paper an attempt to summarise or bring together the views expressed. Rather it reflects the views of the authors tempered by experience and the evidence presented at the meeting. Seven questions are explored.