Review: hydrolysed milk formula with dietary and environmental restrictions reduces asthma and wheeze in infants with a familial history of atopy
QUESTION: In infants with a familial history of atopy, does dietary avoidance of cows’ milk protein prevent asthma and wheeze during the first year of life?
Studies were identified by searching Medline (1966 to Feb 2002), CINAHL (1982 to Feb 2002), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1980 to Feb 2002), UK National Research Register of Trials (up to Feb 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1966 to Feb 2002), bibliographies of identified articles, and by contacting colleagues and experts in the field.
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving children with a familial history of atopy in ≥1 first degree relative were selected if they compared hydrolysed cows’ milk formula or soya based formula with feeding with standard cows’ milk based formula during the first 4 months of life or longer. In the hydrolysed formula, the protein source from cows’ milk was enzymatically hydrolysed and heat denatured …