Appropriate prescribing of amino acid formula in infants with cows’ milk protein allergy

Download and print data sheets

You can download the full Audit for printing, or for your convenience you can download and print only the data sheet sections to fill out.

Download data sheets only »

Download Full Audit »

Background

Specialised infant formulae subsidised on the pharmaceutical schedule, i.e. extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF) or amino acid formula (AAF), are only appropriate for infants with cows’ milk protein allergy (CMPA) who are unable to be breast fed.

CMPA is an immunologically mediated adverse reaction to cows’ milk protein, with a prevalence of approximately 2–3% in children before the age of three years. Allergic reaction to cows’ milk protein can be IgE or non-IgE mediated, and there is a wide spectrum of possible reactions, ranging from mild gastrointestinal manifestations through to anaphylaxis. Diagnosis can be challenging, and it is generally recommended that children with suspected CMPA are referred to a paediatrician for assessment.

For further information on diagnosing CMPA, see: “Managing cows’ milk protein allergy in infants”

Despite being highly tolerable, AAF is approximately three times more expensive to produce than eHF, and eHF will be sufficiently hypoallergenic in the majority of infants with CMPA.^{1, 2} In New Zealand, this more expensive and “last-line” AAF is currently being overprescribed. The expected prescribing ratio for eHF to AAF should be approximately 3:1, pharmaceutical dispensing data from 2019 indicates that under the current subsidy criteria it is an almost 1:1 ratio.

Choosing the right formula

The age of the infant and the clinical characteristics of the CMPA should determine the type of formula most appropriate as an initial option. However, in the majority of cases, eHF is recommended as the first-line choice of infant formula for CMPA (Table 1).^{4, 5} CMPA symptoms resolve in approximately 90% of infants that transition to eHF.⁶ Soy-based formula is not funded in New Zealand but is comparable in price to standard cows’ milk formula.

Other formulas such as goats’-milk based, lactose-free and partially hydrolysed formula are not suitable for infants with CMPA, and “milk beverages”, such as rice or almond milk, are nutritionally inadequate and therefore not recommended as a substitute for breast or cows’ milk.⁶

When to choose amino acid formula (AAF)

For the majority of infants with CMPA, eHF (or soy if the infant is aged more than six months) should be considered first. Amino acid formula should only be considered as a first line-option in infants with CMPA and:⁸

• Anaphylaxis
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• Severe intolerance, allergy or malabsorption on eHF
• Growth faltering, particularly with multisystem involvement and multiple food exclusions

It is estimated that only 10% of infants with CMPA will require AAF.⁵

Encouraging re-challenge of other options

In most cases, CMPA is a self-limiting condition; resolving between the ages of one to three years in many children.³ In addition, most children have a reduced requirement for milk once they are aged over 12 months and should be able to progress to solids as their primary source of nutrition, meaning that dependence on AAF can be avoided or reduced. Therefore, in the long-term it is important to regularly review and consider a cows’ milk challenge to avoid unnecessary dietary restriction.^{4, 5} This is required for AAF Special Authority subsidy renewals (which are valid for six months), in addition to trialling other non-AAF formula options, i.e. eHF and soy. The optimal interval for re-challenge is dependent on several factors including age, severity of symptoms and evidence of an immunological reaction to CMPA.

From 1 July, 2020, the existing Special Authority approval for AAF will be replaced, and applications for children 12 months of age and older will need to be made by a paediatrician, paediatric gastroenterologist or paediatric immunologist, or by a dietician on the recommendation of one of these specialists. Primary care will now need to ensure children likely to still be using AAF and who will be aged 12 months at their next renewal are referred to a dietician, paediatrician, paediatric gastroenterologist or paediatric immunologist before this time.

Table 1: Appropriate choice of formula feed in infants with CMPA syndromes in primary care.^{4 ,7}

^* Soy formula is not funded but may be used as an alternative to eHF for some infants with mild CMPA symptoms.

^† eHF must first be trialled first for 2–4 weeks and found to be inappropriate due to severe intolerance, allergy or malabsorption.
AAF, amino acid formula; eHF, extensively hydrolysed formula; GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Audit plan

Summary

Identify infants in the practice who have been prescribed AAF in the previous twelve months. Assess whether they have documented evidence of an indication for AAF, whether they have previously trialled another formula, and whether they have attempted re-challenge or an appointment has been scheduled with a specialist if they will be aged over 12 months at their next Special Authority renewal.

Criteria for a positive outcome

A patient is considered a “positive outcome” for the purposes of the audit if they have been prescribed AAF, and have:

1. A documented diagnosis of CMPA
2. Evidence in their notes that they have an indication for AAF: anaphylaxis, eosinophilic oesophagitis, or eHF is inappropriate due to severe intolerance, allergy or malabsorption
3. Evidence in their notes that they have been re-challenged on cows’ milk, a re-challenge is planned, or an appointment has been scheduled with a specialist if they will be aged over 12 months at their next renewal

Audit standards

A recommended standard would be for 90% of infants prescribed AAF to have a valid indication for receiving this formula, if appropriate have previously tried eHF and re-challenge attempted or planned. There should ideally be an improvement in the achieved percentage between the first and second audit cycles.

Audit Data

Eligible people

Any infant that has been prescribed AAF.

Identifying patients

You will need to have a system in place that allows you to identify eligible patients. Many practices will be able to identify patients by running a “query” through their PMS system. We suggest you identify all infants who have had a prescription for amino acid formula in the previous 12 months.

Sample size

The number of eligible patients will vary according to your practice demographic. It is unlikely that a large number of results will be returned, but if so, take a random sample of 20–30 patients whose notes you will audit.

Data analysis

Use the data sheets provided to record your first and second cycles. In each data set, calculate the number of “positives” by dividing the total number of infants prescribed AAF by the number of “Yes” results in the final column.

The recording of the indication should be used to help evaluate future practice and identify any areas of infant formula prescription or re-challenging that could be improved within the practice.

Identifying opportunities for Audit of Medical Practice

The first step to improving medical practice is to identify the criteria where gaps exist between expected and actual performance and then to decide how to change practice.

Once a set of priorities for change have been decided on, an action plan should be developed to implement any changes.

Taking action

It may be useful to consider the following points when developing a plan for action (RNZCGP 2002).

Problem solving process

• What is the problem or underlying problem(s)?
• Change it to an aim
• What are the solutions or options?
• What are the barriers?
• How can you overcome them?

Overcoming barriers to promote change

• Identifying barriers can provide a basis for change
• What is achievable – find out what the external pressures on the practice are and discuss ways of dealing with them in the practice setting
• Identify the barriers
• Develop a priority list
• Choose one or two achievable goals

Effective interventions

• No single strategy or intervention is more effective than another, and sometimes a variety of methods are needed to bring about lasting change
• Interventions should be directed at existing barriers or problems, knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as performance and behaviour

Review

Monitoring change and progress

It is important to review the action plan developed previously at regular intervals. It may be helpful to review the following questions:

• Is the process working?
• Are the goals for improvement being achieved?
• Are the goals still appropriate?
• Do you need to develop new tools to achieve the goals you have set?

Following the completion of the first cycle, it is recommended that the doctor completes the first part of the Audit of Medical Practice summary sheet (Appendix 1).

Undertaking a second cycle

In addition to regular reviews of progress with the practice team, a second audit cycle should be completed in order to quantify progress on closing the gaps in performance.

It is recommended that the second cycle be completed within 12 months of completing the first cycle. The second cycle should begin at the data collection stage. Following the completion of the second cycle it is recommended that practices complete the remainder of the Audit of Medical Practice summary sheet.

Claiming credits for Te Whanake CPD programme requirements

Practice or clinical audits are useful tools for improving clinical practice and credits can be claimed towards the Patient Outcomes (Improving Patient Care and Health Outcomes) learning category of the Te Whanake CPD programme, on a two credit per learning hour basis. A minimum of 12 credits is required in the Patient Outcomes category over a triennium (three years).

Any data driven activity that assesses the outcomes and quality of general practice work can be used to gain credits in the Patient Outcomes learning category. Under the refreshed Te Whanake CPD programme, audits are not compulsory and the RNZCGP also no longer requires that clinical audits are approved prior to use. The college recommends the PDSA format for developing and checking the relevance of a clinical audit.

To claim points go to the RNZCGP website: www.rnzcgp.org.nz

If a clinical audit is completed as part of Te Whanake requirements, the RNZCGP continues to encourage that evidence of participation in the audit be attached to your recorded activity. Evidence can include:

1. A summary of the data collected
2. An Audit of Medical Practice (CQI) Activity summary sheet (Appendix 1 in this audit or available on the RNZCGP website).

N.B. Audits can also be completed by other health professionals working in primary care (particularly prescribers), if relevant. Check with your accrediting authority as to documentation requirements.