Infant formula increases bone turnover favoring bone formation (1027.8)

Abstract

In the first year of life, the major infant food choices have traditionally been breast milk (BM), cow’s milk formula (MF) or soy formula (SF). Studies examining the effects of infant formula on early life skeletal development are extremely limited. We have enrolled 120 healthy 6‐month‐old infants who were fed BM (n=40), MF (n=40) or SF (n=40), and studied bone turnover markers in urine. Bone formation marker osteocalcin which is only secreted by osteoblasts was measured by a urine ELISA kit generated in our laboratory. Bone resorption marker, collagen crosslink N‐terminal telopeptide (NTx), was measured using a commercial kit. While there were no significant differences between MF and SF groups in bone formation and resorption markers, osteocalcin was substantially increased in both MF and SF groups compared to those from BM group (p < 0.01). NTx was also increased (p < 0.05) but to a lesser degree. We reproduced these results in a piglet animal model where male and female neonatal piglets (n=6 per group) were fed BM, MF or SF for 20 days. There were no gender differences in increased osteocalcin in MF and SF groups in urine compared to those from BM group. Increased bone mass was associated with urinary osteocalcin in MF and SF piglet groups. These results suggest increased bone turnover favoring more bone formation occurs in formula‐fed compared to breast‐fed infants. Supported in part by ARS CRIS #6251‐51000‐005‐03S.Grant Funding Source: ARS CRIS #6251‐51000‐005‐03S