Expanding the Use of Hypoallergenic Formulas in Clinical Practice
Extensively hydrolyzed formulas (EHF) and amino acid formulas (AAF) are well-established in the dietary management of cow’s milk allergy (CMA), but what about their use beyond allergy? This insightful summary presents the findings of the HOPA survey, which explored the real-world application of these formulas in children with a variety of complex medical conditions unrelated to allergy. Conducted across four NHS pediatric centers, the study highlights how EHF and AAF are used in settings like PICU, oncology, liver and gastrointestinal disease, where standard feeds may not be tolerated due to impaired digestion or absorption.
Why This Resource Is Useful for Healthcare Professionals
For dietitians, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, and critical care teams, this resource provides practical, evidence-informed insights, including:
- Common indications for prescribing EHF/AAF beyond allergy
- Growth outcomes: Improved weight-for-height z-scores in children on EHF >3 months
- Feeding routes: Nasogastric, PEG, oral and jejunal feeding practices
- Duration of use: Flexible application in both short-term acute and long-term chronic care
- A call for more research—but also a clear validation of current clinical practices
Download the Full Resource and Build Your Clinical Expertise
Access this educational summary today to better understand the broader clinical applications of hypoallergenic formulas. This downloadable infographic is a great way to prepare for further learning through related webinars and expert-led courses on DNC.
This document summarised the results of the hypoallergenic formulae outside of primary allergy (HOPA study, UK, 2020), a survey which was aiming to describe the current clinical practice including when, how and for whom these formulas were used.
