Experts Present Latest Research at Allergy Day

MADRID, October 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Extensively hydrolyzed milk formula with LGG probiotic helps build tolerance for cow milk  

Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the leading cause of food allergy in infants and early childhood. Until now, it has been managed by eliminating milk proteins from a baby´s diet. Recently, it has been shown that it is possible to help build of oral tolerance to milk protein in a significant number of children during the first year of life by using an extensively hydrolyzed casein formula that includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG).

This is one of the major innovations in the dietary management of CMPA that is being discussed at the Allergy Day Symposium organized by the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute in Madrid, and which brings together nine top-level internationally renowned experts: Allan Walker; Jon Vanderhoof; Roberto Berni Canani; Erika Isolauri; Piotr Socha; Julian Guest; Juan José Díaz; Rosan Meyer; and Patrick Tounian.

Allergy to cow milk protein occurs when the immune system of a child identifies the proteins in cow milk as dangerous and it could cause digestive, skin and breathing problems. Experts connect this pathology with microbial irregularities in intestinal microflora or gut microbiota. "Studies of atopic infants or animal models have shown that the intestinal microbiota are disrupted, lacking essential microbiota that influence immune tolerance and control inflammation," explained Professor Walker.

LGG has been shown to help support the immune system: "This probiotic exerts a number of immunomodulatory effects at gut level leading to an anti-inflammatory action and a downregulation of major immune mechanisms involved in allergy. Besides, LGG exerts effects on gut permeability, cell growth and differentiation," points out ProfessorBerni Canani.

Diet is key in the management of CMPA in infants and children. Cow milk protein may be present in foods that don't appear to be milk-based but which often contain milk proteins, such as sausages, sauces, frozen meat, salty snacks or sweets. According to Dr.Díaz, "a number of extensively hydrolyzed formulas and elemental formulas are available that allow us to effectively and safely manage CMPA in both IgE-mediated and in non-mediated forms." 

According to Professor Colin Rudolph, MD, PhD, vice president of Global Medical Affairs and chief medical officer at Mead Johnson Nutrition, "for more than 100 years, wehave introduced a wide range of innovations that respond to the needs of consumers and healthcare professionals alike. We were the first company to provide a product designed for the nutritional management of cow milk protein allergy in infants. This allergy affects about 3 percent of infants all around the world and it is the main cause of food allergy in breastfeeding infants and children under 3 years old".

About Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute 

The Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute is a global network dedicated to advancing and applying the latest breakthroughs in nutrition science to benefit infants and children worldwide. Our only purpose is to be at the forefront of pediatric nutrition research.