文本框: ALLERGEN-REDUCED INFANT NUTRITION Bianca-Maria Exl Department of Nutrition, Nestle Suisse SA Case postale 352, 1800 vevey Vevey, Switzerland Background: Atopic diseases are increasing all over the world and early infant nutrition seems to play a major role. In addition, breastfed infants are still healthier than non-breast-fed infants. Research into allergy-prevention programs is mainly done in high-risk newborn populations. But as many infants without specific risk for allergies will become allergic in pure figures than with an elevated risk (11/100). Objective: Evaluation of the health related effects of an allergen-reduced nutrition during the first 4-6 months in an unselceted infant population until 2 years of age Methods: This prospective nutritional intervention study compares neonates in an intervention cohort (Z:breastfeeding (BF) and/or allergen-reduced pHF-(hydrolysed) infant formula, no weaning food; for at least 4 months; n=540) with a control cohort (FF: no specific feeding advice; n = 556) on the basis of growth criteria (weight, length, head circumference, BMI ) and health criteria (overall, gastroint., respiratory, skin). Allocation to groups was based on exclusive breastfeeding (eBF) (Z=227, FF=162), partial-BF (Z=196; FF=311) or non-BF (Z=43, FF=62). Nutritional surveillance took place over the entire first 12 months. Important confounding and structural factors were taken into account as covariates by logistic regression. Results: Growth was identical in both groups. At 6 months, the total number of infants with health problems was lower in Z than in FF (33 vs 49%; p < 0.0001; worst-case: OR 0.6; 95%CI 0.4-0.8), mainly due to skin problems (12 vs 28%; p < 0.0001; OR 0.3; 95%CI 0.2-0.5). Both, the pBF (34 vs 46%, OR 0.6, 95%CI 0.4-0.9) and nBF groups in Z were at an advantage over those in FF at 6 months (28 vs 57%, OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7), again mainly due to the skin problems. With 3 months, the pBF and nBF in Z did not differ from the eBF (25%,26% vs 29%), however in FF the pBF and nBF had more health problems than the eBF (40%,39% vs 31%). At 2 years the Z cohort had still less skin problems than the FF (7% vs 15%), the cumulative incidence of the skin was still highly significant (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our data indicate that the general health status, mainly shown at the skin, even in a normal infant population, is enhanced by an allergen-reduced diet. A dietary regime of this type should thus be encouraged for all non- or partially breastfed infants regardless of any elevated allergic risk status.