A real-world cross-sectional study evaluating the role of an oral amino acid-based supplement in nutrient intake by preschoolers on a cow's milk elimination diet.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Food allergy has several negative nutritional consequences and may persist beyond the first year of lives. This study aimed to assess the role of a complete oral amino acid-based supplement in the diet of children on cow's milk protein elimination diet because of food allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included two groups of children aged 1-5 years paired by age and socioeconomic status: (1) study group, on cow's milk protein elimination diet plus an oral amino acid-based supplement, and (2) control group, on cow's milk protein elimination diet. Sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and dietary data were obtained through online interviews. Two 24-h dietary recalls were collected on nonconsecutive days. Both groups comprised mostly boys. RESULTS: The study group presented lower values of body mass index. The frequency of feeding difficulties was similar between groups. The study group had a higher intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, selenium, vitamins D, E, B1, B2, B6, and B12, niacin, and folic acid compared to the control group. A higher proportion of children in the study group had adequate intake according to the recommendations made for energy, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, and B6, and folic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a complete oral amino acid-based supplement has a positive effect on the diet quality of preschoolers on cow's milk elimination diet because of food allergy, promoting higher intake of energy, calcium, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients.

Elimination diet in food allergy: friend or foe?

OBJECTIVES: To review and discuss the role of an elimination diet in food-allergic children, emphasizing nutritional aspects for a better practical approach. SOURCES: Non-systematic review of the literature. FINDINGS: Under an elimination diet, food-allergic patients may suffer from growth impairment or obesity and compromised quality of life. Disease phenotype, age, type, number of foods excluded, comorbidities, eating difficulties, economic status, and food availability must be considered for an appropriate diet prescription. Diet quality encompasses diversity and degree of food processing, which may alter immune regulation. CONCLUSIONS: A friendly food elimination diet prescription depends on a multidisciplinary approach beyond macro and micronutrients.

Real-life data on the effectiveness of extensively hydrolyzed protein-based formula and amino acid-based formula in regaining weight and height in infants on a cow's milk protein elimination diet.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of extensively hydrolyzed protein-based formula (EHF) or amino acid-based formula (AAF) in reversing the weight and height deficit in infants on a cow's milk protein elimination diet. METHODS: Infants from a retrospective cohort who were fed EHF (n = 17) or AAF (n = 16) for at least 2 months on a cow's milk protein elimination diet were included. The weight and height values recorded in the infants' medical records were obtained. RESULTS: The mean age of the infants at the start of EHF and AAF were 5.8 ± 2.6 and 4.4 ± 2.5 months, respectively (P = 0.061). There was no difference between the groups in terms of the monthly weight gain (373.0 ± 212.2 and 453.1 ± 138.5 g, P = 0.223, respectively, for EHF and AAF), while the monthly increase in height was greater in the group fed with AAF (1.3 ± 0.5 and 1.8 ± 0.6, P = 0.030). A comparison between the difference in the initial z-score and in the oral challenge test of weight-for-age (+0.7 ± 1.2 and +1.3 ± 1.4, P = 0.262, respectively, for the EHF and AAF groups), height-for-age (+0.2 ± 1.1 and +1.2 ± 1.8, P = 0.090), and body mass index (BMI)-for-age (+0.7 ± 1.3 and +0.7 ± 1.5, P = 0.971) did not reveal a statistically significant difference between the groups. Correlation coefficients showed that the greater the initial nutritional deficit, the greater the positive variation between the beginning of each formula and the oral challenge test. CONCLUSION: EHF and AAF provided similar increases in the weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores in both groups. The monthly increase in height was greater in infants who received AAF.

Feeding difficulties in children fed a cows' milk elimination diet.

A cross-sectional study compared feeding difficulties in children aged 2-5 years fed a cows' milk elimination diet due to food allergy with a control group on an unrestricted diet. All data were obtained online. Specific questionnaires evaluated three types of feeding difficulties: avoidant eating, picky eating and feeding problems. The median scores of feeding difficulties in the elimination diet (n 146) and control (n 109) groups were, respectively: picky eating (31 v. 27; P = 0·148), avoidant eating (3 v. 3; P = 0·508) and feeding problems (38 v. 34, P = 0·032). Picky eating was more frequent in the elimination diet (35·4 %) than in the controls (23·3 %; P = 0·042), but no difference was observed for avoidant eating (23·9 % v. 20·4 %, P = 0·508) and feeding problems (32·1 % v. 28·4 %, P = 0·541). Picky eating was associated with lower values of weight-for-age z-scores in both groups. Multivariate analyses identified associations of the three feeding difficulties with previous food refusal and/or inappetence in the elimination diet group. Current constipation and anticipatory gagging were associated with feeding difficulties in both groups. In conclusion, children on an elimination diet presented higher frequency of picky eating and higher scores of feeding problems. Picky eating was associated with lower values of weight-for-age z-scores. Food refusal and/or inappetence as clinical manifestations of food allergy were associated with feeding difficulties at the moment of the survey. Current constipation and anticipatory gagging were associated with picky eating, avoidant eating and feeding problems.