Amino acid-based formula

"Elemental formula" redirects here. For the chemistry term, see Chemical formula.

Amino acid-based formula is a type of infant milk formula made from individual amino acids. It is hypoallergenic and intended for infants suffering from severe allergy to milk and various gastrointestinal conditions, such as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and malabsorption syndromes.^[1][2] It is sometimes referred to as elemental formula but this is considered a misleading name.^[2] Issues with the use of amino acid-based formula include its high cost and its unpalatable taste.^[3] Intake of amino-acid formula for healthy infants shows no advantage in growth.^[4]

Background

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and together they form the protein requirements in formula needed for growth and development. The amino acids are in the simplest form, making it easy for the body to process and digest. Amino acid-based formula may be considered hypoallergenic since it does not contain peptides that may trigger an immune response.^[3]

Because infants and children have different nutritional needs, amino acid-based formulas are typically formulated either for infants 0–1 years of age or for children 1–10 years of age.^[5]

Uses

Amino acid-based formulas may be used for those with cow's milk or soy protein allergy. However, most infants who suffer from food allergy respond well to extensively hydrolysed formulas, and only few of those with the most severe form of the illness require the use of amino acid-based formulas.^[1][6] It may also be used for other medical conditions requiring an amino acid-based diet, such as short bowel syndrome, and transition from parenteral to enteral nutrition.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Milk allergy
• Food allergy

References

1. Leonard, Stephanie Ann; Nowak-Węgrzyn, Anna (2011). Food Allergy. Saunders. p. 151. ISBN 978-1-4557-3981-3.
2. Tsai, Patrika; Duggan, Christopher (20 July 2005). Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition. Vol. 3. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-08-045428-3.
3. Andreae, D.; Nowak-Węgrzyn, A. (2017). Early Nutrition and Long-Term Health. Woodhead Publishing. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-08-100186-8.
4. Borschel, Marlene W.; Baggs, Geraldine E.; Oliver, Jeffery S. (2018). "Comparison of Growth of Healthy Term Infants Fed Extensively Hydrolyzed Protein- and Amino Acid-Based Infant Formulas". Nutrients. 10 (3): 289. doi:10.3390/nu10030289. PMC 5872707. PMID 29494498.
5. Patel, Jalpa K.; Rouster, Audra S. (2023), "Infant Nutrition Requirements and Options", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32809593, retrieved 2023-10-03
6. Hill DJ, Murch SH, Rafferty K, Wallis P, Green CJ (June 2007). "The efficacy of amino acid-based formulas in relieving the symptoms of cow's milk allergy: a systematic review". Clin Exp Allergy. 37 (6): 808–22. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02724.x. PMID 17517094. S2CID 5564593.