Objectives: Amino acid-based formulas (AAFs) are recommended for children with cow's-milk allergy (CMA) failing to respond to extensively hydrolysed formulas (eHFs). We evaluated the effects of a new thickened AAF (TAAF, Novalac), containing a pectin-based thickener, and a reference AAF (RAAF, Neocate) on allergy symptoms and safety, through blood biochemistry analysis and growth.
Methods: Infants (ages < 18 months) with CMA symptoms failing to respond to eHFs were randomised in a double-blind manner to receive TAAF or RAAF for 3 months. All of the infants were then fed TAAF for 3 additional months. Paediatric visits occurred at 1, 3, and 6 months. Blood samples were collected at inclusion and 3 months.
Results: Results at 1 month were previously described. The 75 infants with proven CMA and eHF intolerance tolerated their allocated formula. At 3 months, the dominant allergic symptom had disappeared in 76.2% of the infants with TAAF and in 51.5% of the infants with RAAF (P = 0.026). The Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index significantly improved more with TAAF than with RAAF (-27.3 ± 2.3 vs -20.8 ± 2.2, P = 0.048). Of the infants, 92.9% had normal stools (soft or formed consistency) with TAAF vs 75.8% with RAAF (P = 0.051). More infants in TAAF group had better quality of nighttime sleep (P = 0.036) and low frequency of irritability signs (P < 0.001). With both formulas, all of the biochemical parameters were within normal ranges. There were no differences between the 2 groups in any of the anthropometric z scores.
Conclusions: The new TAAF was tolerated by all of the infants with CMA and intolerance to eHFs. Anthropometric and clinical data showed that both formulas were safe.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01940068.