Amino acid-based formula is a type of
infant milk formula made from individual
amino acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha am ...
. It is
hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic, meaning "below average" or "slightly" allergenic, is a term meaning that something (usually cosmetics, pets, textiles, food, etc.) causes fewer allergic reactions. The term was first used in 1953 in an advertising campaign for cosm ...
and intended for infants suffering from severe allergy to milk and various gastrointestinal conditions, such as
food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome and
malabsorption syndrome
Malabsorption is a state arising from abnormality in absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Impairment can be of single or multiple nutrients depending on the abnormality. This may lead to malnutrition and a variety ...
s.
It is sometimes referred to as elemental formula but this is considered a misleading name.
Issues with the use of amino acid-based formula include its high cost and its unpalatable taste.
Intake of amino-acid formula for healthy infants shows no advantage in growth.
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
peptide
Peptides (, ) are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Long chains of amino acids are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty amino acids are called oligopeptides, and include dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides.
A ...
s that may trigger an immune response.
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.
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.
It may also be used for other medical conditions requiring an amino acid-based diet, such as
short bowel syndrome
Short bowel syndrome (SBS, or simply short gut) is a rare malabsorption disorder caused by a lack of functional small intestine. The primary symptom is diarrhea, which can result in dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss. Other symptoms may in ...
, and transition from
parenteral
A route of administration in pharmacology and toxicology is the way by which a drug, fluid, poison, or other substance is taken into the body.
Routes of administration are generally classified by the location at which the substance is applied. ...
to
enteral
Enteral administration is food or drug administration via the human gastrointestinal tract. This contrasts with parenteral nutrition or drug administration (Greek ''para'', "besides" + ''enteros''), which occurs from routes outside the GI tract, ...
nutrition.
See also
*
Milk allergy
Milk allergy is an adverse immune reaction to one or more proteins in cow's milk. Among the possible symptoms is anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires treatment with epinephrine, among other measures. However, s ...
*
Food allergy
A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. The symptoms of the allergic reaction may range from mild to severe. They may include itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathing, or low blood pressure ...
References
{{Infants and their care
Infant feeding
Amino acid derivatives