Study shows strong benefits of Nutramigen LGG infant formula inmanagement of cow’s milk allergy

A new independent, multi-center study on cow’s milk allergy has been published in the May 2013 editi…

A new independent, multi-center study on cow’s milk allergy has been published in the May 2013 edition of the Journal of Pediatrics. The study shows significantly more infants with cow’s milk allergy who received Nutramigen LGG, an extensively hydrolyzed formula that includes Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), built a tolerance to cow’s milk than those fed other formulas in the study.

Specifically, nearly four out of five infants (78.9 percent) fed Nutramigen LGG built tolerance to cow’s milk protein at 12 months, compared with infants fed other study products, such as extensively hydrolyzed casein formula (43.6 percent) , hydrolyzed rice formula (32.6 percent), soy based formula (23.6 percent) or amino-acid based formula (18.2 percent). Historically, children with cow’s milk allergy didn’t build tolerance until three to five years of age.

“Building a tolerance to cow’s milk at an earlier age has the potential to allow for earlier normalization of children’s diets, which can result in reduced impact on their development and potentially lower medical costs,” said study author and professor of pediatrics at the University of Naples, Roberto Canani, M.D., Ph.D. “This study adds to the growing body of evidence that shows an extensively hydrolyzed formula with LGG helps manage cow’s milk allergy fast.”

Nutramigen is the only brand with extensively hydrolyzed protein and LGG. It contains a milk protein that is broken down into tiny pieces to virtually eliminate allergic reactions. While LGG is one of the most studied probiotics for allergy, this is the first study to compare the impact of Nutramigen LGG to other formulas based on symptom duration in infants with cow’s milk allergy. The study is specific to Nutramigen with LGG infant formula. The results cannot be generalized to other probiotics or other Lactobacillus strains, since they all have different modes of action and varied effectiveness in model immune cell systems.

“We are pleased to see data further proving Nutramigen LGG, a brand trusted by moms and doctors alike, helps infants more quickly build tolerance to cow’s milk,” said Carol Lynn Berseth, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs at Mead Johnson Nutrition. “Recognizing and managing cow’s milk allergy early is important to helping infants get back on track to healthy growth and development.”

Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in infants 12 months and under. It can cause digestive problems, breathing difficulties, rashes or swelling of the face. Recent studies suggest the severity and duration of cow’s milk allergy is increasing, which may limit an infant’s diet, potentially leading to growth, development and health issues. The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines recommend the use of an extensively hydrolyzed protein in most infants with cow’s milk allergy. Nutramigen has been widely studied for more than 70 years.