Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.
2023 Sep;26(5):277-283. 10.5223/pghn.2023.26.5.277.
Clinician Experience with Using Hypoallergenic Formulas to Treat Infants with Suspected Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Survey Cohort
- Affiliations
-
- 1Office of Medical Education, Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton, FL, USA
- 2Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
- 3Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Boys Town Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- 4Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
- 5Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
- KMID: 2545996
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2023.26.5.277
Abstract
- Purpose
Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a common condition in infants, but little is known about healthcare providers’ clinical experience treating infants with CMPA. To address this gap, we analyzed prospectively collected data from healthcare providers (HCPs) who treated infants under six months old with suspected CMPA using hypoallergenic formulas. The study focused on a commercial extensively hydrolyzed formula containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC53103) (eHF-LGG) or a commercial amino acid formula (AAF).
Methods
In this secondary analysis of prospectively collected survey data, 52 HCPs treated 329 infants under six months old with suspected CMPA using hypoallergenic formulas. A series of two de-identified surveys per patient were collected by HCPs to assess short-term symptom relief in the patients and HCP’s satisfaction with the management strategies. The initial survey was completed at the initiation of treatment of CMPA, and the second survey was completed at a follow-up visit.
Results
The majority of HCPs (87%) in the study were general pediatricians, and most saw 2 to 10 CMPA patients weekly. Results showed that clinicians reported satisfaction with treatment in 95% of patients in the EHF cohort and 97% of patients in the AAF cohort and achieved expected clinical results in 93% and 97% of patients using eHF and AAF, respectively. Furthermore, few patients were switched from the hypoallergenic formula once initiated.
Conclusion
The study provides new insights into HCP perspectives on treating infants with CMPA and supports using hypoallergenic formulas to manage this condition. However, additional prospective controlled studies are needed to confirm these initial findings.
