[Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Longterm Feeding with Amino Acid-Based Formula in Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy: Results of the Open-Label Prospective Controlled Post-Registration Trial].

Background: The cow’s milk allergy (CMA) prevalence is 2−3% in children under one year. Approximately in 5% of cases transferring to extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF) doesn’t lead to disappearance of CMA symptoms.

Aims: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of amino-acid formula (AAF) longterm feeding in children under one year and development of predictors of successful transfer from AAF to eHF.

Materials and methods: In open-label prospective post-registration trial duration of 365 days were included 43 children aged from 3 to 12 months with CMA. CMA was based on Russian and international guidelines. When a patient was included in the trial, child received eHF for 4 weeks with the evaluation of the effect of elimination diet (ED): in case of absence of effect, for diagnostic purposes child feed with AAF for 2 weeks and upon receiving the effect, child continued to receive it for at least 6 months. Diet was considered effective if there were observed disappearance of clinical manifestations of CMA during of formula using.

Results: Children fed with AAF gain weight and increased height statistically higher during the first 6 months, compared with children receiving eHF, but without subsequent difference in a year. After 4 weeks’ of AAF feeding, there was a significant decrease in SCORAD index from 46.84 (SD 4.164) to 2.52 (SD 2.204) (p=0.005); disappearance of gastrointestinal manifestations of CMA from 3 to 14 day. After 4 weeks, the 100% normalization of previously elevated faecal calprotectin (p<0.05) was observed; and after 6months. ED, in 60% of children normalization of the index of activation of basophils with milk was observed. 38.7% of children were transferred to eHF in 6 months, 12.9% and 25.8% in 9 and 12 months respectively.

Conclusions: Use of AAF for children with CMA is an effective and safe treatment without lengthening the period of elimination, which is necessary for the formation of tolerance to cow’s milk protein and has a positive impact on weight and height. Normalization of specific activation of basophils with milk could be considered as a predictor of successful transfer from AAF to eHF in children with CMA.