Abstract
The protective effect of the breast-milk may be partly attributed to the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota provided by this mode of nutrition. The microbiota of formula-fed infants differs from that of breast-fed infants. Although the main bifidogenic effect of breast-milk has been attributed to the non-protein fraction, it is now recognized that it is due to a complex set of inter-acting factors, among which the type and level of protein (standard formula 2.5 g; human milk 1.8 g/100 Kcal). Aims: To evaluate if a formula with an adapted protein profile, enabling an amino acid profile more similar to human milk (consistent with the international recommendations) may provide similar growth and intestinal microbiota compared to human milk. Subjects and Methods: Non-randomized parallel study in healthy newborn infants less than 28 d of age (21 breast-fed, 27 bottle-fed). The bottle-fed infants received ad libitum a NAN formula with adapted protein profile (1.8 g/100 kcal), and were followed until the age of 120 d. The breast-fed infants were exclusively breast-fed from birth to 60 ± 3 d of age. Anthropometric data and fecal bacteria counts (Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli and Enterobacteria; evaluated by FISH and/or by plating techniques) were measured. Results: The test formula with adapted protein profile provided satisfactory growth up to 120 d compared to the Euro-Growth data, and favored the bifidobacteria population to reach a level similar to that of the breast-fed infants at 60d. Fecal bifidobacteria counts in bottled-fed vs. breast-fed infants obtained by FISH and culture plates were 8.6 ± 0.6 vs. 8.8 ± 0.8 (p = 0.33) and 7.2 ± 3.3 vs. 7.8 ± 3.2 log cfu/g of feces (p = 0.53), respectively. Likewise, the other bacterial populations were not affected by the mode of feeding. Conclusion: Infants fed a starter formula with adapted protein profile had normal growth and intestinal microbiota similar to that of breast-fed infants.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
