Anaphylactic sensitizing power of selected infant formulas.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the anaphylactic sensitizing power of cow milk, soy milk, casein hydrolysate, and a new cow collagen soy protein hydrolysate (CCSPH) infant formula in a guinea pig model of anaphylactic sensitization. Various groups of animals were fed these formulas for 37 days following which they were challenged intravenously either with the sensitizing constituent or one of the infant formulations. The results of these studies indicate a high degree of sensitizing capability of cow milk formula (80% fatal and 20% nonfatal) with reactions in guinea pigs challenged with BLG and no reactions when challenged with casein hydrolysate. In animals sensitized to soy formula there were only nonfatal reactions in 30% when challenged with soy protein. Casein hydrolysate and CCSPH were shown to be nonsensitizing. The results of these studies support he use of derivative infant formulas for the prevention of cow's milk hypersensitivity in infants.