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 over 500 amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the Proteinogenic amino acid, 22 α-amino acids incorporated into p ...
. 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.
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. A polypeptide is a longer, continuous, unbranched peptide chain. Polypeptides that have a molecular mass of 10,000 Da or more are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty am ...
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, and for transition from
parenteral to
enteral nutrition.
See also
*
Milk allergy
Milk allergy is an adverse immune reaction to one or more proteins in cow's milk. Symptoms may take hours to days to manifest, with symptoms including atopic dermatitis, allergic eosinophilic esophagitis, inflammation of the esophagus, entero ...
*
Food allergy
A food allergy is an abnormal immune system, immune response to food. The symptoms of the allergic reaction may range from mild to severe. They may include pruritus, itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathi ...
References
{{Infants and their care
Infant feeding
Infant formula
Amino acid derivatives