ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Cow's milk allergy (CMA) is treated in formula-fed infants with an extensive protein hydrolysate. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional safety of a non-thickened and thickened extensively casein hydrolyzed protein formula (NT- and T-eCHF) in infants with CMA. METHODS: Infants younger than 6 mo old with a positive cow milk challenge test, positive IgE, or skin prick test for cow milk were selected. Weight and length were followed during the 6 mo intervention with the NT-eCHF and T-eCHF. RESULTS: A challenge was performed in 50/71 infants with suspected CMA and was positive in 34/50. All children with confirmed CMA tolerated the eCHF. The T-eCHF leads to a significant improvement of the stool consistency in the whole population and in the subpopulation of infants with proven CMA. Height and weight evolution was satisfactory throughout the 6 mo study. CONCLUSIONS: The eCHF fulfills the criteria of a hypoallergenic formula and the NT- and T-eCHF reduced CMA symptoms. Growth was within normal range.
Subject(s)
Caseins/administration & dosage , Infant Formula/administration & dosage , Animals , Body Height , Body Weight , Child Development , Dietary Carbohydrates/analysis , Dietary Fats/analysis , Dietary Fiber/analysis , Dietary Proteins/analysis , Double-Blind Method , Energy Intake , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Infant , Laryngopharyngeal Reflux/prevention & control , Male , Milk , Milk Hypersensitivity/prevention & control , Prospective Studies , Protein Hydrolysates/administration & dosage , ViscosityABSTRACT
To promote management and awareness of bleeding disorders in Lebanon, a pilot programme was launched in 2009 by the Lebanese Hemophilia Association assisted by World Federation of Hemophilia. The aim of this study was to diagnose patients with bleeding disorders and to assess the potential challenges in implementing a screening programme. The pilot project was launched in 26 social health centres in the Bekaa valley. The study tools included the evaluation of the Tossetto Bleeding Score and the Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBAC) for menstruation. Persons with a bleeding score higher than 2 and PBAC higher than 185 were eligible for further blood tests including the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, complete blood count, bleeding time and von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor activity. 643 patients were enrolled, of whom 60.6% were women. Overall, 91 persons had an abnormal score. 50 eligible patients were tested: 32 had normal tests, nine new patients with severe Von Willebrand were discovered, 4 had VW:RiCo of 40, 3 prolonged APTT and 2 thrombocytopaenia. There was a clear correlation between the severity of the score and the willingness to perform the tests (P = 0.02). Women were reluctant to participate fully when investigators were men. The probability of adherence to the screening protocol is significantly increased when directed by women health care professional. For patients with milder forms, global screening programmes were neither feasible nor acceptable but those more severely affected have to be identified. Providers are crucial in preselecting patients with blood problems who are not coping well.
