Probiotics for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy in Infants

Cow's milk-protein allergy is relatively common in both formula-fed and breast-fed infants and can cause colitis that is characterized by rectal bleeding and often loose stools with or without mucus. Cow's milk allergic colitis (CMAC) is usually diagnosed presumptively (instead of by biopsy) and is treated by changing to an extensively hydrolyzed casein formula (EHCF) or by eliminating dairy in the mother's diet if the infant is breast-fed. Researchers examined the role of the probiotics in 30 infants (mean age, 4 months) with hematochezia (determined by fecal occult blood test) and presumed CMAC who were referred to a single hospital in Italy. Formula-fed infants were randomized to receive EHCF with or without the probiotic Lactobacillus r…