Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Mar;27(1):33-42.

Effects of Types of Formulas on the Clinical Symptoms, Nutritional Status and Immune Markers in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that commonly begins in the early age of life, and AD and food allergy often simultaneously occur in the same patient.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of soy formula as compared with extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk formula in infants with AD. METHOD: Subjects were supplemented with extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk formula (HCF group, n=16) or soy formula (SF group, n=13) through dietary counseling for 12 weeks. The degree of severity of AD symptoms were measured using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Cow's milk allergy was confirmed on the basis of a history of allergic reaction to cow's milk, a positive result from skin prick test (SPT), and the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to cow's milk. Dietary assessment were performed. Anthropometric indices werecompared with standard values of growth and development for Korean children. Blood samples were collected to analyze RBC fatty acids composition and immune markers. RESULT: The AD infants' weights and heights were within normal range. The SCORAD index after 12 weeks improved significantly (P<0.01). The composition of DHA of erythrocyte decreased in the HCF and SF groups. There were no significant differences in changes of total serum IgE concentration between both groups. Serum levels of IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-alpha decreased significantly after the supplementation of extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk.
CONCLUSION
Extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk and soy formulas may support normal growth of infants and improved the symptoms of AD to the same degree. Prospective long-term studies are needed to investigate the significant effects and the mechanism of each formula in AD infants.

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Biomarkers*
Child
Counseling
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Erythrocytes
Fatty Acids
Food Hypersensitivity
Growth and Development
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Infant*
Interleukin-13
Interleukin-5
Milk
Milk Hypersensitivity
Nutritional Status*
Reference Values
Skin
Skin Diseases
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Weights and Measures
Antibodies
Fatty Acids
Immunoglobulin E
Immunoglobulins
Interleukin-13
Interleukin-5
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha