The use of a soy isolate based formula in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea.

Lactose intolerance interferes with the recovery phase in patients with severe diarrhoea. A controlled comparison of a lactose-free soy isolate formula (Isomil) and a standard cow's milk-based formula in 112 infants with severe diarrhoea showed a significant advantage for the lactose-free formula. All the infants were dehydrated on admission and required initial intravenous therapy. The response rate in the two groups was, respectively, 93% and 75%.