Early Formula Use Tied to Cow's Milk Sensitization and Food Allergies

Cow's milk formula is commonly fed to newborns, but whether such use plays a role in sensitization to cow's milk protein and the development of food allergies is unclear. Researchers in Japan randomized 312 newborns at risk for atopy (parent or sibling with atopic disease) to breast-feeding supplemented with either elemental formula (EF) or cow's milk formula (CMF) for at least the first 3 days of life. The primary outcome was sensitization to cow's milk protein (IgE level ≥0.35 U_A/mL); secondary outcomes were prevalence and cumulative incidence of immediate-type and anaphylactic-type food allergies (after oral food challenge or reported to follow-up physician). All outcomes were assessed at 2 years of age.

Sensitization to cow's milk protei…