A randomized, single-blind and crossover study of an amino acid-based milk formula in treating young children with atopic dermatitis.
Cow's milk and soy protein allergies are commonly associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) in young children. Amino acid (AA)-based elemental milk formula may improve AD control in these patients. This study investigates the efficacy of AA-based formula in treating young AD patients irrespective of their food allergy status. AD patients younger than 3 yr old were eligible. Sensitization to food allergens was ascertained by skin prick tests and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) assay. Patients were then randomly allocated to take either active treatment or pre-existing formulae (placebo) for 6 wk. They were allowed a 6-wk washout period before crossed over to the other intervention for another 6 wk. Fifteen AD patients, with median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 1.4 (0.6-2.6) yr, were recruited. Their median (IQR) SCORAD score was 23.9 (10.5-29.7). Seven of them were sensitized to cow's milk or soybean. Among 11 patients who completed the study, the median changes for all scores and urinary eosinophil protein X (EPX) concentration were not statistically significant. There was also no evidence of carry-over effects for SCORAD and its various components and global health score, except for urinary EPX concentration (p = 0.05). Our results do not support the use of AA-based elemental milk formula in treating young children with AD irrespective of their food allergy status.
Leung
Ting Fan
TF
Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. leung2142@cuhk.edu.hk
Ma
Kwok Chiu
KC
Cheung
Lorena T F
LT
Lam
Christopher W K
CW
Wong
Eric
E
Wan
Helene
H
Hon
Ellis K L
EK
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000178:diet therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000596:Amino Acids