We believe breast milk is the best food for infants. When in consultation with their healthcare professional, mothers and families find that optimal breastfeeding is not possible due to their infant’s medical condition, formulas for special medical purposes play a vital role in providing essential nutrients to infants. We have a global commitment to market breast-milk substitutes responsibly.

This website is about the management of cows’ milk protein allergy and nutritional solutions intended for infants. By continuing on this website, you accept that Nestlé Health Science supplies the information at your own request.

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SMA® Althéra® | Extensively Hydrolysed CMA Formula

What is SMA® Althéra®?

Hypoallergenic extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF) for the effective dietary management of the majority (~90%) of infants with cows’ milk allergy (CMA) and/or multiple food protein allergies (MFPA)1–4 in formula fed babies.

 

SMA® Althéra® is designed to provide first-line formula relief from the symptoms associated with mild–moderate CMA and/or MFPA.1,2 SMA® Althéra® is whey based and nutritionally complete from birth to 6 months and for supplementary feeding up to 3 years of age to support growth and development.1,2


With its very low allergenic profile and preferred taste,5 it is designed to support increased acceptability and tolerance in the majority of infants with CMA.1–4

 

For more information on SMA® Althéra® or cows' milk allergy:

  • Visit our CMA information page
  • Contact your local representative
  • Contact our Careline on 0800 0 81 81 80

ORDER A TRIAL SAMPLE

Nestlé Health Science proudly offer a product Sample Service, delivering direct to your patients. To request your sample of SMA® Althera®, simply click on the button below and follow the short sign up process. This will allow you to request your SMA® Althera® sample as well as other Nestlé Health Science product samples available via the service.




KEY FACTS ABOUT SMA® ALTHÉRA®: THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAIL

VERY LOW ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL

SMA® Althéra® is the only eHF to demonstrate similar efficacy (symptom relief and growth) to an amino acid formula in a randomised controlled trial1,3†

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POSITIVE GUT MICROBIOTA

Purified lactose in SMA® Althéra® was shown to positively modulate the composition of the gut microbiota6

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PREFERRED TASTE OF SMA® ALTHÉRA®

SMA® Althéra® has preferred taste over casein-based eHF formulas, which may help feeding acceptance and health economic savings2,5,7,8

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EFFICACY

SMA® Althéra® has a very low allergenic potential3 and is tolerated by the majority of infants with CMA.1,2 It is the only eHF to show similar efficacy to an amino acid formula (AAF) in an RCT with mild-severe CMA:1,†


VERY LOW ALLERGENIC POTENTIAL

SMA® Althéra® is safe and effective for the dietary management of CMA.1-3,9. It has a consistent, very low allergenic potential and has the lowest percentage of large peptides among eHFs in the UK. This may support better clinical outcomes for symptom resolution.3,9,10


Our analyses of eHF samples from manufacturers around the world – which compared peptide size and residual protein content – showed that some eHFs may have different allergenic potentials as well as batch-to-batch inconsistencies.3,9,10


Learn more about the analysis here



Analysis of eHF samples collected from 12 countries and 11 manufacturers (3 manufacturers from the UK)
 N refers to number of samples from different batches tested. | BLG = ß-lactoglobulin (A major whey protein found in cows’ milk)
Graph adapted from Meyer R, Kulslys M, Muraro A, et al. Controversies on special products for managing cows’ milk protein allergy in infants: safety and suitability. EAACI symposium,18 June 2017, Helsinki, Finland. Proceedings published in EMJ Allergy & Immunology, 2017; 2(1): 46-51.

POSITIVE MODULATION OF THE GUT MICROBIOTA

"Allergic infants have an unusual gastrointestinal microbiota"5 and "a lack of lactose in a specialised formula for infants with CMA could have a detrimental effect on microbiome development"9. The purified lactose in SMA® Althéra® was shown to reduce the counts of pathogenic bacteria, increase the counts of commensal bacteria and increase the concentration of short-chain fatty acids vs. an identical non-lactose containing formula.5

INDICATIONS

INDICATIONS  

*ACBS approved. SMA® Althera® is for complete nutritional support from birth or supplementary feeding from 6 months and up to 3 years of age for the dietary management of cows‘ milk allergy and/or multiple food protein allergies.

 

PRECAUTIONS

  • Use under strict medical supervision after full considerations of all the feeding options available, including breastfeeding. For oral or enteral use only.
  • †Althéra® is not recommended where only an amino acid formula is indicated.    

Ingredients

Lactose (Milk) , Maltodextrin, Vegetable Oils (Palm, Rapeseed, Coconut, Sunflower), Enzymatically Hydrolysed Whey Protein (Milk) , Minerals (Calcium Glycerophosphate, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Citrate, Ferrous Sulphate, Zinc Sulphate, Copper Sulphate, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Sodium Chloride), Emulsifier (E472c), Vitamins (C, E, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, B2, A, B1, B6, K1, Folic Acid, D3, B12, Biotin), Crypthecodinium Cohii Oil (DHA), Mortierella Alpina Oil (ARA), Choline Bitartrate, Taurine, L-Histidine, Myo Inositol, L-Carnitine.

ORDERING INFORMATION

Product Product Format PIP Code Nestlé Line Code Case Size
SMA® Althera® 1*450g Tin 378-7413 12287423 6

COMPOSITION DATA CARD AND PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

PDF of composition table

Dietary Avoidance PDF

SUPPORT TOOLS

 



WEANING GUIDE
 
The SMA® Althera® and SMA® Alfamino® weaning guide can be downloaded here.


SMILESBACK
 
The SmilesBack mobile app allows parents to keep track of their baby’s symptoms and feeds to support healthcare professionals diagnose or manage CMA. Learn more here.



COMISSTM
 
The CoMiSSTM awareness tool can be used by healthcare professionals to quantify CMA symptoms. Learn more here.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What tin size is SMA® Althera® available in?

  • A 450g re-sealable tin.

 

Does SMA® Althera® contain soy?

  • SMA® Althera® does not contain soy.

 

How can I contact your careline or a product representative?

  • You can contact us on 0800 0 81 81 80

 

Is lactose intolerance similar to cows’ milk allergy?

  • Lactose intolerance results from a decreased ability to digest and absorb lactose (the sugar present in mammalian milk) due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. It is very rare in infants younger than 5 years6, even in those with CMA. The ESPGHAN guidelines state “adverse reactions to lactose in CMA are not supported in the literature, and complete avoidance of lactose in CMA is no longer warranted”.7 Lactose has been shown to be beneficial for healthy infant growth and development.5,8

 

Where can I learn more about cows’ milk allergy?

  • You can learn more about cows milk allergy on our condition pages, here.

 

Read our full FAQs here

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their infants have cows’ milk protein allergy. This usually requires qualified dietary counselling to completely exclude all sources of cows’ milk protein from the mothers’ diet. If a decision to use a special formula intended for infants is taken, it is important to give instructions on correct preparation methods, emphasising that unboiled water, unsterilised bottles or incorrect dilution can all lead to illness. Formula for special medical purposes intended for infants must be used under medical supervision. For healthcare professionals only.

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References:

  1. Niggemann B et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2008; 194(4): 348–354.
  2. Vandenplas Y et al. Acta Paediatr 2013; 102(8): 990–998.
  3. Meyer R et al. EMJ Allergy and Immunol 2017; 2(1): 46–51.
  4. Madrazo-de la Garza J et al. EMJ Allergy and Immunol. 2018; 31(1): 56–58.
  5. Data on File. Althéra® versus casein-based formulas. Independent competitive benchmarking test.
  6. Francavilla R et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012; 23: 420–427.
  7. Rapp M et al. Poster presentation: Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting (FAAM 2013) Nice, France. 7-9 February 2013.
  8. Maslin K. et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2018; 29(8): 857–862.

Footnotes and abbreviations:
† SMA® Althéra® is not recommended where only an amino acid formula is recommended
AAF, amino acid formula
CMA, cows’ milk allergy
eHF, extensively hydrolysed formula
FAQs, frequently asked questions
MFPA, multiple food protein allergies

Nestlé Health Science produces a range of foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) for use under medical supervision. A sample product should only be requested for a patient if deemed suitable following a professional evaluation from an appropriate healthcare professional. Althera® and Alfamino® are infant FSMPs and should only be used after the full consideration of the feeding options available, including breastfeeding.
The Nestlé Health Science Sample Service is available to healthcare professionals only, who require sample products for professional evaluation when they have no sample product or if a patient has insufficient product to cover their needs. This service is not intended as a long term solution for a patient.
® Reg. Trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Terms and conditions apply.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when their babies have cows' milk protein allergy. This usually requires qualified dietary counselling to completely exclude all sources of cows' milk protein from the mothers’ diet. If a decision to use a special formula intended for infants is taken, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. Unboiled water, unboiled bottles or incorrect dilution can make babies ill. Incorrect storage, handling, preparation and feeding can eventually lead to adverse effects on the health of babies. Formula for special medical purposes intended for infants must be used under medical supervision.