Table 2.

General characteristics of infant formulas for cow’s milk protein allergy (modified from Fiocchi A., et al.; World Allergy Organ J 2016 [11]).

Energy	Similar to Human Milk
Proteins	Within normal recommended ranges, but cow’s milk protein are hydrolysate, or whole proteins different than human milk proteins; some supplemented with lysine, threonine or tryptophan
Fats	Only 15% have α-linolenic acid in similar amounts to human milk; 31% have more linoleic acid than human milk; 46% do not include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); one includes 25% palmitic acid in β position
Carbohydrates	70% of special formulae are without lactose; all have a content of carbohydrates higher than human milk
Micronutrients	Iron ≤ than in human milk (risk of iron-deficiency). Content of other minerals should be reviewed considering other factors
Vitamins A, E, D	Need to be reviewed the doses depending on other factors (>25% of children consumed <2/3 of the Recommended dietary intake (RDI) of calcium, vitamins D and E)
Nucleotides	77% have nucleotides
Choline	Big variability in choline levels between different formulae
Taurine	92% have taurine
Carnitine	92% have carnitine
Prebiotics	15% include fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)
Probiotics	8% include probiotic