title: Early diet of preterm infants and development of allergic or atopic disease: randomised prospective study. Probiotics: a novel approach in the management of food allergy. Effect of an allergy prevention programme on incidence of atopic symptoms in infancy [Prevention of allergy in infants. A prospective study of 159 high-risk children]. Association between breast feeding and asthma in 6 year old children: findings of a prospective birth cohort study Breast-feeding, maternal IgE, and total serum IgE in childhood. Long-term prevention of allergic diseases by using protein hydrolysate formula in at-risk infants. Cumulative incidence of atopic disorders in high risk infants fed whey hydrolysate, soy, and conventional cow milk formulas. Five-year follow-up of high-risk infants with family history of allergy who were exclusively breast-fed or fed partial whey hydrolysate, soy, and conventional cow's milk formulas. Cow's milk IgE and IgG antibody responses to cow's milk formulas Multicentre trial on feeding low birthweight infants: effects of diet on early growth. Infant feeding, wheezing, and allergy: a prospective study. Extensively and partially hydrolysed infant formulas for allergy prophylaxis Soy versus cow's milk in infants with a biparental history of atopic disease: development of atopic disease and immunoglobulins from birth to 4 years of age Relation of infant diet to childhood health: seven year follow up of cohort of children in Dundee infant feeding study Effect of allergen avoidance in infancy on allergic manifestations at age two years. Effects of a dietary and environmental prevention programme on the incidence of allergic symptoms in high atopic risk infants: three years follow‐up Dietary prophylaxis of allergic disease in children. Early diet in preterm babies and developmental status at 18 months Early diet in preterm babies and developmental status in infancy. The development and prediction of atopy in high-risk children: follow-up at age seven years in a prospective randomized study of combined maternal and infant food allergen avoidance. PROLONGED BREAST-FEEDING AS PROPHYLAXIS FOR ATOPIC DISEASE Relationship of diet in the development of atopy in infancy Effect of allergen avoidance on development of allergic disorders in infancy Early sodium intake and later blood pressure in preterm infants. Comparison of a partially hydrolyzed infant formula with two extensively hydrolyzed formulas for allergy prevention: a prospective, randomized study. Infant feeding and allergy. Randomised trial of nutrition for preterm infants after discharge. Allergy prevention by maternal elimination diet during late pregnancy--a 5-year follow-up of a randomized study. Importance of the first meal on the development of cow's milk allergy and intolerance. Effect of feeding whey hydrolysate, soy and conventional cow milk formulas on incidence of atopic disease in high risk infants. Allergic reactions to raw, pasteurized, and homogenized/pasteurized cow milk: a comparison Predictive value of cord blood IgE in the development of atopic disease and role of breast‐feeding in its prevention Effects of brief early exposure to partially hydrolyzed and whole cow milk proteins. Food and drug reactions, wheezing, and eczema in preterm infants. Allergen avoidance in infancy and allergy at 4 years of age Effect of combined maternal and infant food-allergen avoidance on development of atopy in early infancy: a randomized study. Environmental factors and symptoms in infants at high risk of allergy. Influence of maternal diet during lactation and use of formula feeds on development of atopic eczema in high risk infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE --To study the effect of early diet on the development of allergic reactions in infants born preterm . DESIGN --Two r and omised prospect i ve trails . In trail A infants were r and omly allocated banked donor milk or preterm formula as their sole diet or ( separately r and omised ) as a supplement to their mother 's expressed breast milk . In trial B infants were allocated term or preterm formula . A blind follow up examination was done 18 months after the expected date of birth . SETTING --Neonatal units of hospitals in Cambridge , Ipswich , King 's Lynn , Norwich , and Sheffield . Outpatient follow up . PARTICIPANTS --777 Infants with a birth weight less than 1850 g born during 1982 to 1984 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES --Development of eczema , allergic reactions to food or drugs , and asthma or wheezing by nine and 18 months after term . Whenever possible the observations were confirmed by rechallenge or clinical examination . RESULTS --At 18 months after term there was no difference in the incidence of allergic reactions between dietary groups in either trial . In the subgroup of infants with a family history of atopy , however , those in trial A who received preterm formula rather than human milk had a significantly greater risk of developing one or more allergic reactions ( notably eczema ) by 18 months ( odds ratio 3.6 ; 95 % confidence interval 1.4 to 9.1 ) . CONCLUSIONS --Feeding neonates on formulas based on cows ' milk , including those with a high protein content , did not increase the overall risk of allergy . Nevertheless , in the subgroup with a family history of atopy early exposure to cows ' milk increased the risk of a wide range of allergic reactions , especially eczema BACKGROUND The gastrointestinal microflora is an important constituent of the gut mucosal defense barrier . We have previously shown that a human intestinal floral strain , Lactobacillus GG ( ATCC 53103 ) , promotes local antigen-specific immune responses ( particularly in the IgA class ) , prevents permeability defects , and confers controlled antigen absorption . OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and immunologic effects of cow 's milk elimination without ( n = 14 ) and with ( n = 13 ) the addition of Lactobacillus GG ( 5 x 10(8 ) colony-forming units/gm formula ) in an extensively hydrolyzed whey formula in infants with atopic eczema and cow 's milk allergy . The second part of the study involved 10 breast-fed infants who had atopic eczema and cow 's milk allergy . In this group Lactobacillus GG was given to nursing mothers . METHODS The severity of atopic eczema was assessed by clinical scoring . The concentrations of fecal alpha 1- antitrypsin , tumor necrosis factor-alpha , and eosinophil cationic protein were determined as markers of intestinal inflammation before and after dietary intervention . RESULTS The clinical score of atopic dermatitis improved significantly during the 1-month study period in infants treated with the extensively hydrolyzed whey formula fortified with Lactobacillus GG . The concentration of alpha 1-antitrypsin decreased significantly in this group ( p = 0.03 ) but not in the group receiving the whey formula without Lactobacillus GG ( p = 0.68 ) . In parallel , the median ( lower quartile to upper quartile ) concentration of fecal tumor necrosis factor-alpha decreased significantly in this group , from 709 pg/gm ( 91 to 1131 pg/gm ) to 34 pg/gm ( 19 to 103 pg/gm ) ( p = 0.003 ) , but not in those receiving the extensively hydrolyzed whey formula only ( p = 0.38 ) . The concentration of fecal eosinophil cationic protein remained unaltered during therapy . CONCLUSION These results suggest that probiotic bacteria may promote endogenous barrier mechanisms in patients with atopic dermatitis and food allergy , and by alleviating intestinal inflammation , may act as a useful tool in the treatment of food allergy A total of 105 “ high‐risk ” infants born in 1988 were studied prospect ively from birth to 18 months of age . The infants were recommended breastfeeding and /or hypoallergenic formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) combined with avoidance of solid foods during the first 6 months of life . All mothers had unrestricted diet . Avoidance of daily exposure to tobacco smoke , furred pets and dust‐collecting material s in the bedroom were advised . This prevention group was compared with a control group consisting of 54 identically defined “ high‐risk ” infants born in 1985 in the same area . All infants had either severe single atopic predisposition combined with cord blood IgE ≥ 0.5 KU/1 or biparental atopic predisposition . The control group had unrestricted diet and was not advised about environmental factors . Apart from the prevention programme and year of birth the prevention group and the control group were comparable . The parents were highly motivated and compliance was good . The rate of participation was 97 % , and 85 % followed the dietary measures strictly . The cumulative prevalence of atopic symptoms was significantly lower at 18 months in the prevention group ( 32 % ) , as compared with the control group ( 74 % ) ( p<0.01 ) , due to reduced prevalence of recurrent wheezing ( 13 % , versus 37 % ; p<0.01 ) , atopic dermatitis ( 14 % versus 31 % ; p<0.01 ) , vomiting/diarrhoea ( 5 % versus 20 % ; p<0.01 ) and infantile colic ( 9 % versus 24 % ; p<0.01 ) . The cumulative prevalence of food allergy was significantly lower in the prevention group ( 6 % versus 17 % ; p<0.05 ) . In both high‐risk groups daily exposure to tobacco smoke increased the risk of recurrent wheezing significantly ( p<0.01 ) . The main difference between the prevention group and the control group was the diet . Thus , feeding with breastmilk and /or hypoallergenic formula combined with avoidance of solid foods until the age of 6 months appeared to reduce the cumulative prevalence of atopic symptoms during the first 18 months of life A total of 105 infants at " high risk " for developing allergy born in 1988 were studied prospect ively from birth to 18 months of age . The infants were recommended breastfeeding and /or hypoallergenic formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) combined with avoidance of solid foods the first six months of life . All mothers had unrestricted diet . Avoidance of daily exposure to tobacco smoking , furred pets and dust collecting material s in the bedroom was advised . This prevention group was compared to a control group consisting of 54 identically defined " high-risk " infants born in 1985 in the same area . All the infants had either severe single atopic predisposition combined with cord blood IgE > or = 0.5 KU/l or biparental atopic predisposition . The control group had unrestricted diet and was not advised about environmental factors . The cumulative incidence of atopic symptoms was significantly lower at 18 months in the prevention group ( 32 % ) compared with the control group ( 74 % ) ( p < 0.01 ) , due to reduced incidence of recurrent wheezing ( 13 % versus 37 % ; p < 0.01 ) , atopic dermatitis ( 14 % versus 31 % ; p < 0.01 ) , vomiting/diarrhoea ( 5 % versus 20 % ; p < 0.01 ) and infantile colic ( 9 % versus 24 % ; p < 0.01 ) . The cumulative incidence of food-allergy was significantly lower in the prevention group ( 6 % versus 17 % ; p < 0.05 ) . In both high-risk groups exposure to daily tobacco smoking increased the risk of recurrent wheezing significantly ( p < 0.01 ) . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS Abstract Objectives : To investigate the association between the duration of exclusive breast feeding and the development of  asthma related outcomes in children at age 6 years . Design : Prospect i ve cohort study . Setting : Western Australia . Subjects : 2187 children ascertained through antenatal clinics at the major tertiary obstetric hospital in Perth and followed to age 6 years . Main outcome measures : Unconditional logistic regression to model the association between duration of exclusive breast feeding and outcomes related to asthma or atopy at 6 years of age , allowing for several important confounders : sex , gestational age , smoking in the household , and early childcare . Results : After adjustment for confounders , the introduction of milk other than breast milk before 4 months of age was a significant risk factor for all asthma and atopy related outcomes in children aged 6 years : asthma diagnosed by a doctor ( odds ratio 1.25 , 95 % confidence interval 1.02 to 1.52 ) ; wheeze three or more times since 1 year of age ( 1.41 , 1.14 to 1.76 ) ; wheeze in the past year ( 1.31 , 1.05 to 1.64 ) ; sleep disturbance due to wheeze within the past year ( 1.42 , 1.07 to 1.89 ) ; age when doctor diagnosed asthma ( hazard ratio 1.22 , 1.03 to 1.43 ) ; age at first wheeze ( 1.36 , 1.17 to 1.59 ) ; and positive skin prick test reaction to at least one common aeroallergen ( 1.30 , 1.04 to 1.61 ) . Conclusion : A significant reduction in the risk of childhood asthma at age 6 years occurs if exclusive breast feeding is continued for at least the 4 months after birth . These findings are important for our underst and ing of the cause of childhood asthma and suggest that public health interventions to optimise breast feeding may help to reduce the community burden of childhood asthma and its associated traits . Key messages Asthma is the leading cause of admission to hospital in Australian children and its prevalence is increasing Whether breast feeding protects against asthma or atopy , or both , is controversial Asthma is a complex disease , and the relative risks between breast feeding and asthma or atopy are unlikely to be large ; this suggests the need for investigation in a large prospect i ve birth cohort with timely assessment of atopic outcomes and all relevant exposures Exclusive breast feeding for at least 4 months is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of asthma and atopy at age 6 years and with a significant delay in the age at onset of wheezing and asthma being diagnosed by a doctor Public health interventions to promote an increased duration of exclusive breast feeding may help to reduce the morbidity and prevalence of childhood asthma  and BACKGROUND There is controversy regarding the relationship of the effect of breast-feeding on markers of allergy such as total serum IgE in childhood . OBJECTIVE This study , using longitudinal data , tested the hypothesis that the relation of breast-feeding to IgE in childhood differs depending on maternal total IgE level . METHODS Total serum IgE was assessed with the paper radioimmunosorbent test at 4 ages in nonselected children enrolled at birth into the prospect i ve Tucson Children 's Respiratory Study . Children were classified as never breast-fed , breast-fed less than 4 months , or breast-fed 4 months or longer , on the basis of physician report or question naires completed by parents by the time the child was 18 months old . A longitudinal r and om effects model was used to test for group differences and temporal trends in IgE for children classified with reference to maternal IgE ( high tertile vs all others ) and breast-feeding history . A total of 664 children with 1457 observations were included . RESULTS Among children whose mothers were in the 2 lower tertiles of IgE , breast-feeding was associated with lower total serum IgE at age 6 years ( 24.2 vs 44.3 IU/mL for never breast-fed children ; P < .02 ) ; similar trends existed at age 11 years . In contrast , for children whose mothers were in the highest tertile of IgE , breast-feeding of 4 months or longer was associated with higher IgE levels in the child compared with those never breast-fed or breast-fed less than 4 months ( 97.0 vs 38.9 IU/mL ; P < . 005 ) . These cross-sectional analyses were confirmed with the longitudinal r and om effects model , which also showed no effect of confounders . Paternal IgE showed no similar relation with child IgE. CONCLUSION Breast-feeding appears to have paradoxic relations with IgE in childhood , depending on maternal IgE level . These findings may help explain the contradictory results found in other investigations of the relation of breast-feeding to allergic symptoms and markers This prospect i ve , long-term study assessed the effects of a protein hydrolysate formula on allergy prevention in infants with a family history of allergy . Infants were r and omly assigned to receive either the  hydrolysate formula ( n = 92 ) or an adapted cow milk formula  ( n = 85 ) alone or with breast-feeding for 4 months . The groups did not differ in family allergy history scores or cord blood IgE levels . After 4 months , total IgE levels and allergic reactions did not differ significantly between groups , although the hydrolysate group had a lower prevalence of eczema . At 12 months of age , neither IgE levels nor allergic reactions were significantly different . At 2 years of age , however , 18 allergic reactions had occurred in the hydrolysate group and 31 had occurred in the control group ; the differences were significant for eczema ( p < 0.001 ) but not for asthma . At 4 years of age , allergic signs were found in 11 children in the hydrolysate group and in 17 children in the control group ; the difference was significant only for eczema ( p < 0.01 ) . These results suggest that early feeding of a protein hydrolysate formula to infants at risk for allergies had a long-term preventive effect on the prevalence of eczema but not of asthma A recent increase in the prevalence of atopic disorders and the enormous costs of management of atopic patients have prompted attempts at prevention . We have examined the effect of exclusive breast feeding and of feeding different infant formulas on incidence of atopic disease in a prospect i ve r and omized controlled study . Seventy-two infants were recruited into each of the following groups : cow milk whey hydrolysate formula ( NAN/HA ) conventional cow milk formula ( Similac ) , soy-based formula ( Isomil ) , and exclusive breast feeding for greater than 4 months .  The cumulative incidence of atopic eczema , recurrent wheezing , rhinitis , gastrointestinal symptoms , and colic were noted . Skin prick tests and radioallergosorbent tests for IgE antibodies to milk and soy were performed . At 12 and 18 months of age , the incidence of atopic eczema as also that of all atopic symptoms was significantly lower and similar in the breast-fed and whey hydrolysate groups , compared with the cow milk and soy formula groups . IgE antibodies were detected more often in the cow milk and soy formula groups , especially the former . Among symptomatic infants , fewer skin positive prick tests were seen in the soy group compared with the cow milk group . Our observations show that among infants at high risk of developing atopic disease because of positive family history , exclusive breast feeding or whey hydrolysate formula is associated with a lower incidence and thus a delay in the occurrence of allergic disorders compared with groups fed conventional cow milk or soy formulas BACKGROUND Allergy is a common cause of illness . The effect of feeding different infant formulas on the incidence of atopic disease and food allergy was assessed in a prospect i ve r and omized double-blind study of high-risk infants with a family history of atopy . METHODS 216 high-risk infants whose mothers had elected not to breast-feed were r and omized to receive exclusively a partial whey hydrolysate formula or a conventional cow 's milk formula or a soy formula until 6 months of age . Seventy-two high risk infants breast-fed for > or = 4 months were also studied . RESULTS Follow-up until 5 years of age showed a significant lowering in the cumulative incidence of atopic disease in the breast-fed ( odds ratio 0.422 [ 0.200 - 0.891 ] ) and the whey hydrolysate ( odds ratio 0.322 [ 0.159 - 0.653 ) groups , compared with the conventional cow 's milk group . Soy formula was not effective ( odds ratio 0.759 [ 0.384 - 1.501 ] ) . The occurrence of both eczema and asthma was lowest in the breast-fed and whey hydrolysate groups and was comparable in the cow 's milk and soy groups . Similar significant differences were noted in the 18 - 60 month period prevalence of eczema and asthma . Eczema was less severe in the whey hydrolysate group compared with the other groups . Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges showed a lower prevalence of food allergy in the whey hydrolysate group compared with the other formula groups . CONCLUSIONS Exclusive breast-feeding or feeding with a partial whey hydrolysate formula is associated with lower incidence of atopic disease and food allergy . This is a cost-effective approach to the prevention of allergic disease in children For comparison of the antigenicity and allergenicity of three cow 's milk formulas , serum IgE antibodies to cow 's milk , β‐lactoglobulin and casein , and IgG antibodies to β‐lactoglobulin were analyzed in 94 infants with a family history of allergy . They were participating in a r and omized trial comparing the allergy prophylactic effect of feeding an extensively hydrolyzed ( N ) , a partially hydrolyzed ( PH ) , and a regular cow 's milk formula ( RM ) .  Only infants who had been formula‐fed for 3 months or more were included . IgE antibodies to cow 's milk proteins were more common in the RM group ( 22/34 ) than in the N ( 2/31 ) and PH groups ( 3/29 ) . There was a strong correlation between sensitization to cow 's milk and β‐lactoglobulin ( r=0.85 , P<0.001 ) . The IgG responses to β‐lactoglobulin were low in the N group , intermediate in the PH group , and high in the RM group . High responses , as well as detection of IgE antibodies , were associated with development of atopic disease . The low antigenicity and allergenicity of the extensively hydrolyzed formula support its use in allergy prophylaxis . The partial hydrolysate seemed to be less suitable for this purpose A large multicentre study on the short and long term clinical and developmental outcome of infants r and omised to different diets is being undertaken . This report represents an interim analysis of the early postnatal growth performance of an unselected population of 194 preterm infants ( gestation , mean ( SD ) 31 . 0 ( 2 . 9 ) weeks ; birthweight , mean ( SD ) 1364 ( 294 ) g ) , both ill and well , examined in two ( of four ) parallel trials . One trial compared banked breast milk with a new preterm formula ( primary trial ) ; the other compared these diets as supplements to maternal milk ( supplement trial ) . A major dietary effect on the number of days taken to regain birthweight and subsequent gains in weight , length , and head circumference was observed in the primary trial . Infants fed banked breast milk  and weighing less than 1200 g at birth took a calculated additional three weeks to reach 2000 g compared with those fed on the preterm formula . A significant influence of diet on body proportions was seen in the relation between body weight , head circumference , and length . Similar though smaller differences in growth patterns were seen in the supplement trial . By the time they reach 2000 g , infants of birthweights 1200 to 1849 g fed on banked breast milk and infants below 1200 g fed on either banked breast milk or maternal milk supplemented ( as necessary ) with banked breast milk , fulfilled stringent criteria for failure to thrive ( weight less than 2 SD below the mean for age ) . Only infants fed the preterm formula as their sole diet had maintained their birth centile by discharge from hospital . The misleading nature of comparisons between extrauterine and intrauterine steady state weight gains is emphasised The determinants of wheezing and allergy were investigated in 453 children with a family history of allergic disease . A r and omised controlled trial examined the effects of withholding cows ' milk protein during the first three months of life and replacing cows ' milk with soya milk . The children were followed up to the age of 7 years . Withholding cows ' milk did not reduce the incidence of allergy or wheezing . Children who had ever been breast fed had a lower incidence of wheeze than those who had not ( 59 % and 74 % respectively ) . The effect persisted to age 7 years in the non-atopics only , the risk of wheeze being halved in the breast fed children after allowing for employment status , sex passive smoking , and overcrowding . Allergic disease was not associated with exposure to tobacco smoke , house dust mite antigen , or cats . Breast feeding may confer long term protection against respiratory infection The allergy preventive effect of extensively ( N ) and partially ( PH ) hydrolysed cows ’ milk formulas compared with a regular formula ( RM ) was assessed in 155 infants with a family history of allergy . No cows ’ milk was given during the first nine months of life and no egg and fish  up to 12 months of age . Breast feeding mothers avoided the same foods . At weaning the infants were r and omised to one of the formula groups . The cumulative incidence of atopic symptoms at 18 months was 51 , 64 , and 84 % in the N , PH , and RM groups , respectively . From 6 to 18 months there were significantly less cumulative atopic symptoms in the N group compared with the RM group , and significantly less than the PH group up to 6 ( N = 25 % ; PH = 46 % ) and 9 months ( N = 34 % , PH = 58 % ) . At 9 months significantly fewer infants in the N group ( 10 % ) than in the PH group ( 33 % ) had a positive skin prick test to eggs . The findings support an allergy preventive effect of an extensively hydrolysed formula , but not of a partially hydrolysed formula , during the first 18 months of life of high risk infants Forty‐eight children with a biparental history of atopic disease were followed from birth to 4 years of age . One group was fed soy and the other cow 's milk from weaning to 9 months of age . Two‐thirds of the children developed symptoms of atopic disease with no significant difference between the groups . No difference was found in the serum immunoglobulins ( IgE antibodies , IgA , IgG and IgM ) during the observation period . The soy fed children showed transiently lower levels of IgG antibodies to cow 's milk but higher levels of IgG antibodies to soy protein . Six children showed cow 's milk intolerance and a further five had symptoms possibly related to the use of cow 's milk . Withholding cow 's milk during the first 9 months did not reduce the incidence of symptoms of cow 's milk intolerance from birth to 4 years of age . Thus , no benefit was found from replacing cows ' milk with soy . A prolonged breast feeding seems most rational for infants at risk of developing atopic disease , even if the present study did not show evidence of a prophylactic effect of breast milk against the development of atopic disease Abstract Objective : To investigate the relation of infant feeding practice to childhood respiratory illness , growth , body composition , and blood pressure . Design : Follow up study of a cohort of children ( mean age 7.3 years ) who had detailed infant feeding and demographic data collected prospect ively during the first two years of life . Setting : Dundee . Subjects : 674 infants , of whom 545 ( 81 % ) were available for study . Data on respiratory illness were available for 545 children ( mean age 7.3 ( range 6.1- 9.9 ) years ) ; height for 410 children ; weight and body mass index for 412 children ; body composition for 405 children ; blood pressure for 301 children ( mean age 7.2 ( range 6.9 - 10.0 ) years ) . Main outcome measures : Respiratory illness , weight , height , body mass index , percentage body fat , and blood pressure in relation to duration of breast feeding and timing of introduction of solids . Results : After adjustment for the significant confounding variables the estimated probability of ever having respiratory illness in children who received breast milk exclusively for at least 15 weeks was consistently lower ( 17.0 % ( 95 % confidence interval 15.9 % to 18.1 % ) for exclusive breast feeding , 31.0 % ( 26.8 % to 35.2 % ) for partial breast feeding , and 32.2 % ( 30.7 % to 33.7 % ) for bottle feeding . Solid feeding before 15 weeks was associated with an increased probability of wheeze during childhood ( 21.0 % ( 19.9 % to 22.1 % ) v 9.7 % ( 8.6 % to 10.8 % ) ) . It was also associated with increased percentage body fat and weight in childhood ( mean body fat 18.5 % ( 18.2 % to 18.8 % ) v 16.5 % ( 16.0 % to 17.0 % ) ; weight st and ard deviation score 0.02 ( −0.02 to 0.06 ) v −0.09 ( −0.16 to 0.02 ) . Systolic blood pressure was raised significantly in children who were exclusively bottle fed compared with children who received breast milk ( mean 94.2 ( 93.5 to 94.9 ) mm Hg v 90.7 ( 89.9 to 91.7 ) mm Hg ) . Conclusions : The probability of respiratory illness occurring at any time during childhood is significantly reduced if the child is fed exclusively breast milk for 15 weeks and no solid foods are introduced during this time . Breast feeding and the late introduction of solids may have a beneficial effect on childhood health and subsequent adult disease . Key messages Current guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend that babies are exclusively breast fed for the first 4 months of life , with solids being introduced thereafter This study found that exclusive breast feeding is associated with a significant reduction in childhood respiratory illness The early introduction of solids is associated with increased body fat and weight in childhood Exclusive bottle feeding is associated with higher systolic blood pressure in childhood Breast feeding and delaying the introduction of solids until after 15 weeks may have a beneficial effect on childhood health and subsequent adult BACKGROUND One hundred twenty children , identified before birth as being at high risk for atopy , were prenatally assigned to prophylactic or control groups . METHODS The infants in the prophylactic group either received breast milk from mothers on an exclusion diet or an extensively hydrolyzed formula . Their bedrooms and living rooms were treated repeatedly with an acaricide , and they used polyvinyl-covered mattresses with vented head areas . The infants in the control group were fed conventionally , and no environmental control was recommended . RESULTS A significant advantage , first demonstrated at 1 year of age , persists for children in the prophylactic group . They have less of any allergy or eczema , but the reduced prevalence of asthma is no longer significant . Only three children in the prophylactic group had positive skin prick test results compared with 16 in the control group , suggesting a significant reduction in sensitization . CONCLUSION A dual approach to allergen avoidance , focusing on foods and aeroallergens , appears to be beneficial in selected high-risk infants . Avoidance of potent allergens in early life increases the threshold for sensitization in these high-risk infants . Whether sensitization has been avoided or merely deferred has yet to be proved ABSTRACT A prospect i ve case‐control study is presented to assess an allergy prevention programme in children up to 36 months of age . Infants born at three maternity hospitals were followed from birth : 279 infants with high atopic risk ( intervention group ) were compared with 80 infants with similar atopic risk but no intervention ( non‐intervention group ) . The intervention programme included dietary measures ( exclusive and prolonged milk feeding diet followed by a hypoantigenic weaning diet ) and environmental measures ( avoidance of parental smoking in the presence of the babies , day care > 2 years of life ) . Mothers in this group who had insufficient breast milk were r and omly assigned to one of two coded formulas : either a hydrolysed milk formula ( Nidina HA , Nestlé ) or a conventional adapted formula ( Nan , Nestlé ) . Other environmental measures remained the same as for the breastfeeding mothers . The non‐intervention group were either breastfed or received the usual Italian milk feeding and weaning diet , without environmental advice . The main outcome measures were anthropometric measurements and allergic disease manifestations . Normal anthropometric data were observed both in the intervention group and in the nonintervention group . The incidence of allergic manifestations was much lower in the intervention group than in the nonintervention group at 1 year ( 11.5 versus 54.4 % , respectively ) and at 2 years ( 14.9 versus 65.6 % ) and 3 years ( 20.6 versus 74.1 % ) . Atopic dermatitis and recurrent wheezing were found in both the intervention group and the non‐intervention group from birth up to the second year of life , while urticaria and gastrointestinal disorders were only present in the non‐intervention group in the first year of life . Conjunctivitis and rhinitis were present after the second year in both the intervention group and the non‐intervention group . Relapse of the same allergic symptom was less in the intervention group ( 13.0 % ) than in the non‐intervention group ( 36.9 % ) . In comparison to the non‐intervention group , there were fewer intervention group cases with two or more different allergic symptoms ( 8.7 versus 32.6 % ) , and they were more likely to avoid steroid treatment ( 0 versus 10.8 % ) and hospital admission ( 0 versus 6.5 % ) . Babies in the non‐intervention group fed with adapted formula were more likely to develop allergies than breastfed babies in the same group . In the intervention group the breastfed infants had the lowest incidence of allergic symptoms , followed by the infants fed the hydrolysed formula ( ns ) . Infants in the intervention group fed the adapted formula had significantly more allergies than the breastfed and hydrolysed milk fed infants , although less than their counterparts in the non‐intervention group . Of the affected subjects in the intervention group , 80.4 % were RAST and /or Prick positive to food or inhalant allergens . Total serum IgE values detected at birth in the intervention group were not predictive , but at 1 and 2 years of age , IgE values more than 2 SD above the mean in asymptomatic babies were found to predictive for later allergy . In breastfed babies the total IgE level at 1 and 2 years of age was lower than in the other two feeding groups . Of the various factors tested in the non‐intervention group , the following were the most important in the pathogenesis of allergic symptoms : ( i ) formula implementation begun in the first week of life ; ( ii ) early weaning ( < 4 months ) ; ( iii ) feeding beef ( < 6 months ) ; ( iv ) early introduction of cow 's milk ( < 6 months ) ; and ( v ) parental smoking in the presence of the babies and early day care admission ( < 2 years of life ) . All the preventive measures used in this study ( exclusive breastfeeding and /or hydrolysed milk feeding , delayed and selective introduction of solid foods , and environmental advice ) were effective at the third year of follow‐up , greatly reducing allergic manifestations in high atopic risk babies in comparison with those not receiving these interventions IN 1953 Glaser and Johnstone1 reported on the use of soybean milk as an aid in the prophylaxis of  allergic disease in children . They concluded that if one withheld cow 's milk , beef , egg and wheat from the diets of potentially allergic children from the time of birth until the age of six to nine months , only one quarter as many of these children acquired major respiratory allergies compared to their siblings and another nonrelated control group . They also reported that the incidence of atopic eczema in infants on the restricted diet was only one fourth as great as in the . . 424 preterm infants were r and omly assigned a st and ard " term " formula or a nutrient-enriched " preterm " formula as sole diets ( trial A ) or as supplements to mother 's own expressed milk ( trial B ) for a median of 4 weeks postnatally . 18 months post term , blind evaluation of 377 survivors showed that those previously fed preterm rather than term formula had major developmental advantages , more so in motor than mental function ; the advantages , in both mental and motor scores , were especially striking in small-for-gestational-age infants and in males . For motor development index in trial A , this advantage was 15 points ; in infants born small for gestation , it was 23 points ( nearly 1.5 SD ) . Moderate developmental impairment ( developmental index less than 85 ) , notably motor impairment , was considerably more common in the group fed term formula . Infants fed preterm formula also had a small benefit in social maturity quotient . Thus , a short period of early dietary manipulation in preterm infants had major consequences for later development , which suggests that the first weeks may be critical for nutrition Few data from r and omised prospect i ve studies address whether early diet influences later neurodevelopment in man . As part of a larger multicentre trial , 502 low birthweight infants were assigned r and omly , for a median of 30 days , to receive a preterm formula or unfortified donor breast milk as sole diets or as supplements to their mothers ' expressed milk . Surviving infants were assessed at nine months after their expected date of delivery without knowledge of their feeding regimen . The mean developmental quotient was 0.25 st and ard deviations lower in those fed donor breast milk rather than preterm formula . In infants fed their mother 's expressed milk , however , the disadvantage of receiving banked milk compared with preterm formula as a supplement , was greater when the supplement was over half the total intake , and approached five points , representing 0.5 st and ard deviations for developmental quotient . Infants fed donor breast milk were at particular disadvantage following fetal growth retardation , with developmental quotients 5.3 points lower . We suggest that the diet used for low birthweight babies over a brief , but perhaps critical , postnatal period has developmental consequences that persist into infancy ; infants who are small for gestational age are especially vulnerable to suboptimal postnatal nutrition BACKGROUND The natural history of allergic disease and its potential for prevention merit close examination because of the explosive worldwide increase in the prevalence and morbidity of atopic disorders . This study examines the development of atopy at age 7 years in 165 children in a high-risk cohort , previously reported from birth to age 4 years . METHODS In this prospect i ve , r and omized , controlled study of food allergen avoidance in infancy , the prophylactic-treated group consisted of infants whose mothers avoided cow 's milk , egg , and peanut during the last trimester of pregnancy and lactation and who , themselves ,  avoided cow 's milk until age 1 year ( casein hydrolysate supplementation before age 1 ) , egg until age 2 years , and peanut and fish until age 3 years . The control group consisted of maternal/infant pairs who followed st and ard feeding practice s. RESULTS Despite a significant reduction in food allergy and milk sensitization before age 2 years , none of the following differed between the groups at age 7 years : food allergy , atopic dermatitis , allergic rhinitis , asthma , any atopic disease , lung function , food or aeroallergen sensitization , serum IgE level , or presence of nasal eosinophils or nasal basophilic cells .  Children with food allergy by 4 years evidence d higher 7-year ( current ) prevalences of allergic rhinitis and asthma ( p < 0.01 ) . Atopic diseases/parameters at age 7 years were shown , by multivariate analysis ( p < 0.05 ) , to be associated with several genetic and environmental risk factors ( male gender , maternal nonwhite ethnicity and asthma , and household smoking ) , as well as predictive atopic markers during infancy ( elevated serum IgE level ; egg , cow 's milk , and peanut sensitization ; and nasal eosinophils and nasal basophilic cells ) . CONCLUSIONS These findings help to : ( 1 ) eluci date the natural history of atopic disease in high-risk children ; ( 2 ) document the progression of allergy from atopic dermatitis , food allergy , and food sensitization to respiratory allergy and aeroallergen sensitization despite food allergy prevention in infancy ; ( 3 ) identify allergy predictive markers ; and ( 4 ) exp and our appreciation of the interactions of genetic and environmental factors in the development of atopy 54 babies who had been solely breast-fed for more than 6 months , 77 babies who had been breast-fed for 2 - -6 months , and 105 babies who had been weaned to cow's-milk-based formulas at less than 2 months were followed for the first 3 years of life . All the babies had the same pattern of solid food intake until 1 year of age . Compared with formula feeding , prolonged breast-feeding result ed in a lower incidence of severe or obvious atopic disease particularly in babies with family history of atopy We examined the relationship of diet to the development of atopic manifestations in a group of infants with an immediate family history of atopy , followed prospect ively from birth for up to 20 months of age . There was no relationship between the development of atopic dermatitis , rhinitis and wheeze and either 2 or 4 months exclusive breast feeding , or the introduction of cow 's milk or solids in the first 4 months of life . In addition there was no relationship between the introduction of milk , egg or wheat into the diet and the development of skin‐test positivity to these foods . In fact , five infants developed positive skin tests to the food prior to its introduction into the diet , suggesting exposure via maternal breast milk . Thus we have been unable to show a protective effect of either breast feeding or cow 's milk or solid avoidance on the development of atopic disease in infancy There is much evidence that the development of allergic disorders may be related to early exposure of allergens , including those in breastmilk . We have tried to find out whether avoidance of food and inhaled allergens in infancy protects against the development of  allergic disorders in high-risk infants . In a prenatally r and omised , controlled study 120 infants with family history of atopy and high ( greater than 0.5 kU/l ) cord-blood concentrations of total IgE were allocated r and omly to prophylactic and control groups . In the prophylactic group ( n = 58 ) , lactating mothers  avoided allergenic foods ( milk , egg , fish , and nuts ) and avoided feeding their infants these foods and soya , wheat , and orange  up to the age of 12 months ; the infants ' bedrooms and living rooms were treated with an acaricidal powder and foam every 3 months , and concentrations of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen(Der p l ) in dust sample s were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . In the control group ( n = 62 ) , the diet of mothers and infants was unrestricted ; no acaricidal treatment was done and Der p l concentrations were measured at birth and at 9 months . A paediatric allergy specialist unaware of group assignment examined the infants for allergic disorders at 10 - 12 months . Odds ratios were calculated by logistic regression analysis for various factors with control for other confounding variables . At 12 months , allergic disorders had developed in 25 ( 40 % ) control infants and in 8 ( 13 % ) of the prophylactic group ( odds ratio 6.34 , 95 % confidence intervals 2.0 - 20.1 ) . The prevalences at 12 months of asthma ( 4.13 , 1.1 - 15.5 ) and eczema ( 3.6 , 1.0 - 12.5 ) were also significantly greater in the control group .  Parental smoking was a significant risk factor for total allergy at 12 months whether only one parent smoked ( 3.97 , 1.2 - 13.6 ) or both parents smoked ( 4.72 , 1.2 - 18.2 ) The relation between early salt intake and later hypertension is debated . As part of a larger feeding study , 347 preterm infants were r and omly assigned to receive early diets differing grossly in sodium content . Feeding a high sodium preterm formula in the neonatal period did not influence arterial blood pressure at 18 months ( corrected ) age The aim of this study was to compare the allergy-preventive effect of a partially hydrolyzed formula with two extensively hydrolyzed formulas , in infants with a high risk for development of allergic disease . High-risk infants from four Danish centres were included in the period from June 1994 to July 1995 . Five-hundred and ninety-five high-risk infants were identified . High-risk infants were defined as having biparental atopy , or a single atopic first-degree relative combined with cord blood immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) > or = 0.3 kU/l . At birth all infants were r and omized to one of three different blinded formulas .  All mothers had unrestricted diets during pregnancy and lactation and were encouraged to breast-feed exclusively . If breast-feeding was insufficient , one of the three formulas , according to r and omization , was given during the first 4 months . It was recommended not to introduce cow 's milk , cow 's milk products . and solid foods until the age of 4 months . After the age of 4 months a normal unrestricted diet and conventional cow 's milk-based formula were given when needed . All infants were followed-up prospect ively with interview and physical examination at the age of 6 , 12 , and 18 months , and if any possible atopic symptoms were reported . If food allergy was suspected , controlled elimination/challenge procedures were performed in a hospital setting . Of 550 infants included in the study , 514 were seen at all visits and 36 were excluded owing to noncompliance . Of 478 infants who completed the study , 232 were exclusively breast-fed , 79 received an extensively hydrolyzed casein formula ( Nutramigen ) , 82 an extensively hydrolyzed whey formula ( Profylac ) , and 85 a partially hydrolyzed whey formula ( Nan HA ) , during the first 4 months of life . These four groups were identical in regard to atopic predisposition , cord blood IgE , birthplace , and gender . Exclusively breast-fed children were exposed less to tobacco smoke and pets at home and belonged to higher social classes , whereas the three formula groups were identical concerning environmental factors . The frequency of breast-feeding was high ; only eight ( 2 % ) children were not breast-fed at all . The three formula groups were identical in regard to duration of breast-feeding and age at introduction of formula and solid foods . No significant differences were found in the three groups of infants receiving formula milk regarding the cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis or respiratory symptoms . The cumulative incidence of parental-reported cow 's milk allergy was significantly higher in children fed partially hydrolyzed formula ( Nan HA ) compared with extensively hydrolyzed formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) at 12 and 18 months ( NanHA , 7.1 % ; Nutramigen , 2.5 % ; Profylac , 0 % ; p=0.033 ) . The cumulative incidence of confirmed cow 's milk allergy was 1.3 % ( three of 232 ) in exclusively breast-fed infants , 0.6 % ( one of 161 ) in infants fed extensively hydrolyzed formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) , and 4.7%(four of 85 ) in infants fed partially hydrolyzed formula ( Nan HA ) . Partially hydrolyzed formula was found to be less effective than extensively hydrolyzed formula in preventing cow 's milk allergy , 0.6 % vs. 4.7 % ( p=0.05 ) , but because of the small number of cases the results should be interpreted with caution . Compared with other similar studies the frequency ofatopic symptoms was low , even though the dietetic intervention did not include either maternal diet during lactation or dietary restrictions to the children after the age of 4 months The effect of withholding cows ' milk was examined in 487 infants at high risk of allergic disease . Before birth they were r and omly allocated either to a control group , most of whom received cows ' milk preparations , or to an intervention group , who were offered a soya based substitute .  Eczema and wheezing occurred to a similar extent in the two groups during the first year of life , although napkin rash , diarrhoea , and oral thrush were commoner in the intervention group , especially during the first three months . Breast feeding for any length of time was associated with a reduced incidence of wheezing and diarrhoea In a r and omised double blind trial , the effect on growth and clinical status of a nutrient enriched ' post-discharge ' milk formula versus a st and ard term formula , was compared in 32 exclusively bottle fed preterm infants . The formulas were used as the sole milk intake up to a postnatal age of 9 months . Significant increases in linear growth and weight gain were observed in the infants who received the enriched diet . There were no differences in vomiting , posseting , or bowel habit between the groups . Formula volumes ingested were similar between diet groups , indicating that the difference in formula composition did not affect the infants ' regulation of intake . These preliminary data suggest that there is a role for specially design ed formulas for preterm infants after discharge from hospital The 209 mothers to be , enrolled in a r and omized , prospect i ve , allergy-prevention study from allergy-prone families , totally abstained from cow 's milk and egg  from gestational week 28 to delivery . This article presents the development of allergic disease at 5 years of age in their children , compared with the development of allergic disease in the children of the control mothers who took normal food throughout pregnancy . The prevalence of allergic disease could be evaluated in 198 children ( 95 % ) .  Allergic disease was monitored with  question naires , skin prick testing , serum-IgE determinations , and physical examination . Eczema , allergic rhinoconjunctivitis , and asthma was equally common in the groups . Persistent food intolerance to egg was significantly more common in children of the mothers receiving the diet . This long-term follow-up confirms our previous findings that maternal elimination diet during late pregnancy does not prevent the development of allergic disease in the genetically predisposed child A cohort of 1749 newborns from the municipality of Odense born during 1985 in the University Hospital of Odense were followed prospect ively for the development of cow 's milk allergy (CMA)/cow 's milk protein intolerance ( CMI ) during their first year . The diagnosis of CMA/CMI was based on elimination/open milk challenge procedures according to generally accepted criteria . Thirty nine infants ( 2.2 % ) developed CMA/CMI .  Infants with CMA/CMI were fed cow 's milk formula daily during the first month of life significantly more often than infants in the study population ( p less than .001 ) . All 39 infants with CMA/CMI had ingested cow 's milk formula ( 40 - 830 mL ) neonatally , whereas none of the 210 neonates without supplements of cow 's milk formula  developed CMA/CMI ( p less than .05 ) . Based on a positive skin-prick test ( 2 + or more ) and /or specific serum IgE antibody to cow 's milk ( AL-RAST class 2 or more ) 16 infants were classified as having CMA . In infants solely breast-fed for greater than 1 month CMA was as frequent ( 1 % [ 14/1414 ] as in cow 's milk formula fed infant ( 0.6 % [ 2/335 ] ) . In infants with CMI , a significant majority ( 3.9 % [ 13/335 ] versus 0.7 % [ 10/1414 ] , p less than .001 ) had been cow 's milk formula fed during the first month . These data indicate an association between early cow 's milk formula feeding and development of reproducible adverse reactions to cow 's milk protein . Early neonatal intake of cow 's milk protein is probably a condition of sensitization and later adverse reactions to cow 's milk protein The effect of feeding different infant formulas on incidence of atopic disease was assessed in a prospect i ve double-blind r and omized controlled trial among " high risk " infants with family history of atopy among first-degree relatives . The incidence of atopic eczema , wheezing , rhinitis , gastrointestinal symptoms , and colic was noted and serum IgE antibodies to milk were estimated . Seventy-two infants were recruited into each of the following groups : cow milk whey hydrolysate formula ( NAN/HA ) , conventional cow milk formula ( Similac ) , soy-based formula ( Isomil ) , and exclusive breast feeding for greater than or equal to 4 months .  The number of infants who exited for reasons other than atopy and were excluded from analysis were 4 , 5 , 4 , and 12 in the four groups , respectively . The incidence of one or more symptoms of possible allergic etiology was five of 68 infants fed NAN/HA , 24 of 67 infants fed Similac , 25 of 68 infants fed Isomil , and 12 of 60 breast-fed infants . Among symptomatic infants , skin prick test to milk proteins was positive in four out of five infants fed NAN/HA , 16 of 24 fed Similac , 2 of 25 fed Isomil , and 7 of 12 breast-fed . IgE antibodies to milk were found in 2 of 68 , 9 of 67 , 0 of 68 , and 6 of 60 infants in the four groups , respectively . It is concluded that exclusive breast feeding for more than 4 months is partially protective against the development of atopic disease among high risk infants . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS Five children aged 12‐40 months with IgE‐mediated adverse reactions to cow milk ( immediate onset clinical pattern of cow milk allergy ) were orally challenged double‐blind in r and om order with three different milk preparations processed from the same batch of milk 1 ) raw untreated cow milk , 2 ) pasteurized cow milk , 3 ) homogenized and pasteurized cow milk , and 4 ) Nutramigen ® (a commercial hypoallergenic infant formula based on hydrolysed casein ) as placebo .  Skin prick tests with the same preparations were also performed . On oral challenge the three different processed milk types provoked significant and similar allergic reactions in each child , and no adverse reactions followed the challenge with placebo ( Nutramigen ) . Skin prick test with the same milk products were positive in all children and comparable to the results with an extract of purified raw cow milk protein ( Soluprickreg ; ) , whereas Nutramigen did not elicit any skin reactions . A tendency towards a lower threshold of reaction and larger skin reactions induced by the processed milk preparations might indicate an increased ability of pasteurized and homogenized/pasteurized milk to evoke allergic reactions in patients allergic to milk The predictive value of cord blood IgE in the development of atopic disease was evaluated in a prospect i ve study of two groups of infants . Total serum IgE level was ≥ 0.7 U/ml in 44.3 % of the infants with positive family history of atopy and in 16.0 % among those with negative family history . The level of cord blood IgE correlated significantly with the subsequent development of atopic disease in both groups . Cord blood IgE higher than 0.7 U/ml was associated with a high risk of development of atopic eczema and wheezing , 52.8 % and 58.8 % respectively in the groups with or without family history of atopy ; compared with 13.4 % and 1.1 % in the groups with IgE levels less than 0.7 U/ml . Among newborns fed exclusively on breast milk for a minimum of 3 months , the incidence of eczema and wheezing was significantly lower ( 12 % ) compared with findings in the formula‐fed group ( 32 % ) Clinical experience ( " the dangerous bottle " ) and experimental evidence indicate that the early life of an infant is particularly important for the development of the immune responses to food antigens . However , the clinical and immunologic consequences of a brief exposure to , or avoidance of , food antigens during the neonatal period in human infants are poorly understood and documented . We present the preliminary results of a prospect i ve controlled study of 256 normal breast-fed infants r and omly assigned to receive ( blind ) either an adapted formula ( Nidina ) or a partially hydrolyzed formula ( Nidal HA ) as a supplement to breast-feeding for a few days when necessary , and to be examined at days 5 , 90 , 150 , and 365 . The results indicated that ( 1 ) the prevalence of clinical symptoms and of total and specific IgE responses was not statistically different in the two groups of infants and ( 2 ) infants fed a hydrolyzed formula had median titers of specific IgG lower than those fed an adapted formula ; the difference was significant for alpha-lactalbumin at day 90 ( p < 0.005 ) and for alpha-lactalbumin ( p < 0.05 ) , casein ( p < 0.05 ) , and hydrolyzed formula ( p < 0.01 ) at day 150 . Humoral immune responses of breast-fed infants to food antigens thus appear to be modulated by early , short-term exposure to them Allergic reactions were investigated in 777 preterm infants who were r and omly assigned to early diet and followed up to 18 months post term .  Wheezing or asthma was common ( incidence 23 % ) ; it was associated with neonatal ventilation , maternal smoking , and a family history of atopy and was unexpectedly reduced in babies born by caesarean section . Even in non-ventilated infants , the incidence of subsequent wheezing was 18 % , rising to an estimated 44 % ( using logistic regression ) when the foregoing risk factors ( excluding ventilation ) were present .  Eczema occurred in 151 infants ( 19 % ) and was strongly associated with  multiple pregnancy  ( 30 % incidence in twins or triplets ) . Reactions to cows ' milk ( incidence : 4.4 % from detailed history ; 0.8 % confirmed by challenge ) , other foods ( 10 % ) , and drugs ( 5 % ) were within the range reported in full term infants . Milk and food reactions were associated with multiple pregnancy ( 19 % ) and a family history of atopy . Reactions to drugs were least likely to occur in infants who had been ventilated and were on multiple medications in the neonatal period , suggesting that drug tolerance may have developed . We speculate that preterm infants may be a high risk group for asthma and eczema , which could imply an association between atopy and prematurity In an attempt to prevent or reduce the manifestations of atopic disease , a group of infants considered to be genetically at high risk of atopy was entered in a prenatally r and omized , controlled study . A prophylactic group ( n= 58 ) was either breast‐fed with their mothers excluding foods regarded as highly antigenic from their diets , or given an extensively hydrolysed formula . In addition , strenuous efforts were made to reduce exposure to the house‐dust mite by application of acaricide to the bedroom and living room carpets and upholstered furniture . A control group ( n= 62 )  was fed conventionally by breast or on formula , and no specific environmental measures were taken . The results ( previously reported ) after 1 year showed significantly less total allergy , asthma , and eczema in the prophylactic group . Similar results were obtained at 2 years although the reduction in asthma no longer achieved statistical significance . However , there was significantly less sensitization , as shown by a battery of skin prick tests ( SPTs ) , to both dietary allergens and aeroallergens in the prophylactic group . A11 the children have now been review ed at the age of 4 years , and SPTs to a wide range of dietary allergens and aeroallergens have been performed . The control group continues to show more total allergy ( odds ratio [ OR ] 2.73 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 1.21–6.13 , P<0.02 ) , definite allergy ( allergic symptoms plus positive SPT ) ( OR 5.6 , CI 1.8–17.9 , P<0.005 ) , and eczema ( OR 3.4 , CI 1.2–10.1 , P<0.05 ) . More control children have positive SPTs ( OR 3.7 , CI 1.3–10.0 , P<0.02 ) . A dual approach to the prevention of allergic disease , avoiding as far as possible sensitization to food and aeroallergens , significantly reduces the risk of atopic disease . This should be reserved for infants considered at very high risk of atopy , and close medical and dietetic supervision must be available The effect of maternal and infant avoidance of allergenic foods on food allergy was examined in a prenatally r and omized , controlled trial of infants of atopic parents . The diet of the prophylactic-treated group ( N = 103 ) included ( 1 ) maternal avoidance of cow 's milk , egg , and peanut during the third trimester of pregnancy and lactation and ( 2 ) infant use of casein hydrolysate ( Nutramigen ) for supplementation or weaning , and avoidance of solid foods for 6 months ; cow 's milk , corn , soy , citrus , and wheat , for 12 months ; and egg , peanut , and fish , for 24 months . In the control group ( N = 185 ) , mothers had unrestricted diets , and infants followed American Academy of Pediatrics feeding guidelines . The cumulative prevalence of atopy was lower at 12 months in the prophylactic-treated ( 16.2 % ) compared to the control ( 27.1 % ) group ( p = 0.039 ) , result ing from reduced food-associated atopic dermatitis , urticaria and /or gastrointestinal disease by 12 months ( 5.1 % versus 16.4 % ; p = 0.007 ) , and any positive food skin test by 24 months ( 16.5 % versus 29.4 % ; p = 0.019 ) , caused primarily by fewer positive milk skin tests ( 1 % versus 12.4 % ; p = 0.001 ) . The prevalences of allergic rhinitis , asthma , and inhalant skin tests were unaffected . Serum IgE levels in the prophylactic-treated group were marginally lower only at 4 months . Thus , reduced exposure of infants to allergenic foods appeared to reduce food sensitization and allergy primarily during the first year of life STUDY OBJECTIVE : To identify environmental determinants of six symptoms associated with allergic disease in infancy . DESIGN : Infants were participants in a prospect i ve r and omised controlled trial of feeding practice s in families with a history of atopy . SETTING : Infants were recruited in two maternity hospitals in S Wales and followed up in the community for 1 year . PARTICIPANTS : Mothers of 519 infants agreed to participate , but 36 were excluded ( mainly for moving home or failing to attend for follow-up ) , leaving 483 in the study ( 253 male , 230 female ) . Infants were followed up and examined for evidence of allergic disease at 3 , 6 , and 12 months . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS : At each examination , mothers were question ed about episodes of illness in the infant , and the data presented relate to ( reported and observed ) eczema and nasal discharge , and ( reported ) wheeze , prolonged colds , diarrhoea and vomiting . Mothers kept a diary with details of feeding for the first 6 months . All homes were visited by a nurse who took sample s of dust for dust mite antigen analysis . Extensive socio-demographic data were collected . None of the factors studied showed a convincing relationship with eczema . In a multiple logistic regression analysis breast feeding appeared to protect against wheeze , nasal discharge , colds , vomiting and diarrhoea . Having more siblings increased the likelihood of prolonged colds , and ( together with overcrowding ) of wheeze and nasal discharge . Maternal smoking and low social class were associated with wheeze , and house dust antigen with prolonged colds . Respiratory symptoms were associated with some aspects of housing but these could not be distinguished clearly from other social factors . Babies born in Autumn were at increased risk of wheeze , vomiting and diarrhoea . CONCLUSIONS : Environmental factors play an important part in determining risk of symptoms in potentially atopic babies . These factors are in principle open to manipulation Retraction On 28 October 2015 , The BMJ retracted this article , published in 1989 : Ch and ra RK , Puri S , Hamed A. Influence of maternal diet during lactation and use of formula feeds on development of atopic eczema in high risk infants . BMJ 1989;299:228–30 . The BMJ has retracted the article after receiving a copy of an inquiry into the research of R K Ch and ra , which was conducted by the Memorial University of Newfoundl and and completed in August 1995 . The university did not publish the inquiry report at the time . Nor did it notify the editors of journals that had published articles by Ch and ra that were considered in the report . The BMJ obtained a copy of the report when it came into the public domain as a result of Ch and ra taking and losing a legal action against the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ( CBC ) , which aired television programmes about Ch and ra in 2006 . The inquiring committee experienced great difficulty with its work , but its final conclusion was that “ scientific misconduct has been committed by Dr Ch and ra . ” It looked at three studies and found that : “ absolutely no raw data ( or files ) of any kind were exhibited ” “ the Committee can not identify anyone who did the recruiting , can not identify anyone who did or remembers a significant amount of work ” “ the coauathors had little or very likely nothing to do with the work ” “ it is unbelievable that there are essentially no hospital records to support the study in question ” “ the committee can not accept that the Carnation study was done anywhere near to completeness or with the accuracy reported in the Annals of Allergy and Journal of Clinical Nutrition , For that matter , the same can probably be said for the Mead Johnson work published in the British Medical Journal . ” When asked by The BMJ in 2015 why it had not published the report in 1995 , Memorial University of Newfoundl and said that the report “ was the product of a flawed investigation process and could not be relied upon . ” In the CBC programmes , however , a university spokesman said that the university had not acted on the report because of legal threats from Ch and ra . The university further told The BMJ : “ In the spirit of being helpful , we acknowledge that over the years serious questions have been raised about the 1989 publication , leading to much controversy . If [ The ] BMJ decides to retract the paper on the basis of evidence apart from the findings of the 1995 report , then we would underst and your decision in this regard . ” The BMJ is retracting the paper because of the 1995 report , and because of the convincing evidence given in the CBC television programmes and the court case that the work of R K Ch and ra is not to be trusted . For more information , see The BMJ 's feature article(1 ) and editorial,(2 ) published on 28 October 2015
target: Feeding soya-based formula as opposed to st and ard cow 's milk formula did not reduce the risk of having asthma or wheeze at any age .
  In infants with at least one first degree relative with atopy , hydrolysed formula for a minimum of 4 months combined with dietary restrictions and environment measures may reduce the risk of developing asthma or wheeze in the first year of life .
  There is insufficient evidence to suggest that soya-based milk formula has any benefit
background: BACKGROUND In infants with a family history of atopy , food allergen avoidance has been advocated as means of preventing the development of atopic disease when breast-feeding is not possible or supplemental feeding is needed .
  Most infant formulas are based on cow 's milk protein .
  Alternative choices include soya based and hydrolysed cows milk formulas .
  OBJECTIVES To estimate the effect of dietary avoidance of cow 's milk protein on the development of asthma or wheeze in children .