Infants Fed a Lower Calorie Formula With 2′FL Show Growth and 2′FL Uptake Like Breast‐Fed Infants

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of the present study was to examine the growth and tolerance of infants fed infant formulas with a caloric density closer to human milk (HM) supplemented with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and to study uptake of the HMOs.Methods:A prospective, randomized, controlled, growth and tolerance study was conducted in healthy, singleton infants (birth weight ≥2490 g), who were enrolled by day of life (DOL) 5. Formula-fed infants were randomized to 1 of 3 formulas with a caloric density of 64.3 kcal/dL. Each formula contained galactooligosaccharides, and the 2 experimental formulas contained varying levels (0.2 and 1.0 g/L) of the HMO 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL). The 3 formula groups were compared with an HM-fed reference group. Infants were exclusively fed either formula (n = 189) or HM (n = 65) from enrollment to 119 DOL. 2′FL was measured in the blood and urine collected from a subset of infants at DOL 42 and 119, and in HM collected from breast-feeding mothers at DOL 42.Results:There were no significant differences among any groups for weight, length, or head circumference growth during the 4-month study period. All of the formulas were well tolerated and comparable for average stool consistency, number of stools per day, and percent of feedings associated with spitting up or vomit. 2′FL was present in the plasma and urine of infants fed 2′FL, and there were no significant differences in 2′FL uptake relative to the concentration fed.Conclusions:This is the first report of infants fed 2′FL-fortified formulas with a caloric density similar to HM. Growth and 2′FL uptake were similar to those of HM-fed infants.

Effects of Infant Formula With Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Growth and Morbidity

“…Prior incubation with LNnT also prevented adherence of S. pneumonia to chinchilla lungs (38). In addition to this, HMOs may play a systemic immunomodulatory role via direct mediation of cell-cell interactions in the immune system (41) when HMOs are absorbed intact into the circulation (26,28,42), and modulation of gut microbiota with indirect downstream effects on the immune system when largely indigestible HMOs reach the infant's colon (43). Duska-McEwen et al (40) recently reported that 2′FL and LNnT may decrease viral load in an in vitro model by enhancing innate immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus NM232 and influenza A virus H1N1 (NC99), 2 viruses associated with lower respiratory infections.…”

Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

“…In one study, a chemically synthesized compound, 2ʹ fucosyllactose (2ʹFL), equivalent to the natur ally occurring 2ʹFL in HMO, was added to formula milk along with GOS. Although safe for infants, the 2ʹFL treatment provided no net dif ference in weight, length, head circumference and other measures compared with human milk over a 4 month period 44 . In another study by the same group, infants fed formula with 2ʹFL plus GOS had immune responses simi lar to breast fed infants in that both groups had lower levels of inflammatory cytokines than infants fed formula plus GOS 45 .…”

Leche Materna: Efectos de los oligosacáridos de la leche materna en el crecimiento y desarrollo de los lactantes (Parte 3)

“…Los HMOs aumentarían la eficiencia con que el organismo utiliza algunos nutrientes, efecto que fue investigado en un estudio acerca de los efectos de la 2'FL sobre el crecimiento de 424 lactantes quienes fueron alimentados con una fórmula experimental cuyo aporte de energía era similar al de la leche materna y las fórmulas infantiles 9 . Esta fórmula aportaba ~64,3 kcal/dL pero con un aporte de macronutrientes 5% menor.…”

“…En la visita del día 28 o del día 42 las madres entregaron una muestra de leche; en los días 42 y 119 fueron obtenidas muestras de sangre, orina y deposiciones de los lactantes. No se observaron diferencias significativas para los parámetros antropométricos al comparar los distintos grupos entre sí en cuanto a su peso, largo corporal y perímetro cefálico 9 . El grupo alimentado con leche materna aumentó su peso más rápidamente entre los días 14 a 28 pero desde el día 84 y hasta el día 119 la ganancia de peso fue más rápida en el grupo EF2.…”