10 Mar No Evidence Hydrolysed Baby Formula Reduces Risk of Allergic Conditions

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Robert Boyle

Dr. Robert J Boyle
Pediatric Allergist
Imperial College London

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Dr. Boyle: For infants who are fed with formula milk, special hydrolysed formula is widely recommended if they are at risk of allergies, on the basis that this might reduce their risk of eczema and/or milk allergy.

It is not clear whether the research evidence supports this recommendation or not. 

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Dr. Boyle: We found 37 trials in over 19,000 infants, but we found very few high quality trials.

There was evidence that trials of hydrolysed formula with a negative outcome are sometimes not published.

We found no consistent evidence that hydrolysed formula reduces risk of eczema, milk allergy or other allergic problems.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Boyle: There is no need to use a hydrolysed formula for allergy prevention.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants are breastfed at least until the age of 2 years, because breastmilk is much better for infant health than any other type of milk.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Boyle: Future research into improving infant formula milk needs careful regulation, to ensure that the information that arises from the research is of high quality and useful to patients.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Some forms of hydrolysed formula are used under medical supervision to help feed children with specific medical problems.

This new research does not affect that practice. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Dr. Robert Boyle (2016). No Evidence Hydrolysed Baby Formula Reduces Risk of Allergic Conditions

Last Updated on March 10, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD