Nutricia Launches Nutra Neocate, Weaning Product Designed For Cows' Milk Protein Allergy

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Allergy
Article Date: 13 Jun 2009 - 1:00 PST

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Nutricia, the European market leader in advanced medical nutrition, has announced the launch of Neocate Nutra, the first and only weaning product made from 100% non-allergenic amino acids. Neocate Nutra has been specifically developed for weaning infants and older children with cows' milk protein allergy (CMPA) and multiple food protein intolerance (MFPI). Unlike many weaning products, Neocate Nutra contains no hidden allergens and is designed to provide children with the key essential nutrients they need for development. With its unique format, Neocate Nutra is suitable for taking infants through the various stages of weaning and also for older children on very restricted diets who are looking for convenient and varied food options.

Neocate Nutra represents a groundbreaking advance in the management of CMPA, a condition which affects between 2 to 7.5% of infants worldwide.1 With the launch of Neocate Nutra, parents of CMPA infants of a weaning age and above can, for the first time, choose with confidence a weaning product that is made from 100% non-allergenic amino acids, ruling out any possible allergic reactions caused by an exposure to any trace of cows' milk. Neocate Nutra contains key essential nutrients potentially missing from a dairy-free diet and contains a child's full dietary requirements of calcium and two thirds of their daily requirements for iron and vitamin D*. This helps to ensure valuable nutrition for healthy bones, growth and development throughout the weaning stage and beyond.

"The weaning stage can be nerve-wracking for parents of infants with cows' milk protein allergy as there is often a fear that they may react to other foods. Having a weaning product that is totally milk-free and can be used to provide infants with new tastes and textures means one less thing for parents to worry about." said Dr. Adam Fox, Consultant & Honorary Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Allergy, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas', London.

Standard weaning foods available potentially contain allergens such as milk, wheat and gluten. The use of unmodified mammalian milk or unmodified soy or rice milk, is not recommended for infants as these milks are not adequately nutritious.2 In addition, soy can also present cross-reaction risks.1,3

Good nutrition is not only essential for a child's physical and emotional well-being, but also provides weaning infants with a choice and variety of different foods, tastes and textures they need to help with their mouth and tongue co-ordination for speech development.4

"We are delighted to introduce Neocate Nutra as the first and only amino acid-based weaning product for children with cows' milk allergy and other food allergies." commented Martin Pettifor, Category Director for Allergy Relief at Nutricia. "Neocate Nutra has been developed as a direct result of feedback from parents.5 Parents of children with food allergies can now wean their child with Neocate Nutra without fear of exposure to hidden allergens that can cause an allergic reaction."

References
1. Hill DJ, Firer MA, Shelton MJ., et al. Manifestations of milk allergy in infancy: clinical and immunologic findings. J Pediatrics 1986; 109:270-276.
2. Vandenplas Y. Optimising the Diagnosis and Management of Cow's Milk Allergy within Primary Care. European Pediatric Review, 2009; 3(1) in press.
3. ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. Soy Protein Infant Formulae: A Commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. JPGN 2006; 42:352-61.
4. Weaning, in Manual of Dietetic Practice, Second Edition, Blackwell Science,1994: pp264-68.
5. Act Against Allergy Parent Survey, Oct 2008. Data on file.

Source:
Emma Gilbert
Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare, London