Nutritional adequacy of goat milk infant formulas for term infants: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

Abstract

The safety and nutritional adequacy of goat milk infant formulas have been questioned. The primary aim of the present study was to compare the growth and nutritional status of infants fed a goat milk infant formula with those of infants fed a typical whey-based cow milk infant formula. The secondary aim was to examine a range of health-and allergy-related outcomes. A double-blind, randomised controlled trial with 200 formula-fed term infants randomly assigned to receive either goat or cow milk formula from 2 weeks to at least 4 months of age was conducted. A cohort of 101 breast-fed infants was included for comparison. Weight, length and head circumference were measured at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 months of age. Nutritional status was assessed from serum albumin, urea, creatinine, Hb, ferritin, and folate and plasma amino acid concentrations at 4 months. Z-scores for weight, length, head circumference and weight for length were not different between the two formula-fed groups. There were differences in the values of some amino acids and blood biomarkers between the formula-fed groups, but the mean values for biomarkers were within the normal reference range. There were no differences in the occurrence of serious adverse events, general health, and incidence of dermatitis or medically diagnosed food allergy. The incidence of parentally reported blood-stained stools was higher in the goat milk formula-fed group, although this was a secondary outcome and its importance is unclear. Goat milk formula provided growth and nutritional outcomes in infants that did not differ from those provided by a standard whey-based cow milk formula.

Early Programming of Obesity Throughout the Life Course: A Metabolomics Perspective

“…A recent study compared the effects of a standard cows' milk-based formula with vegetable oils to a formula based on goats' milk protein and part of formula lipids derived from goat dairy lipids on the infants' growth and metabolism. Although there were some differences in the children's glycerophospholipid profile at 4 months of age between those fed with conventional IF and goat-milk-based formula [40] , there were no differences in Z-scores for weight, length, head circumference, or weight for length between the 2 groups [44] .…”

Yield and Milk Composition at Different Stages of Lactation from a Small Herd of Nguni, Boer, and Non-Descript Goats Raised in an Extensive Production System

“…According to Rumosa-Gwae et al [10], the indigenous South African goat breeds are the most abundant and readily available farm animals owned by communal farmers and most rural households compared to sheep and cattle. Information on the yield and nutritional composition (minerals, fat, and protein) in milk is, therefore, vital to promote the right formulation of feeds for goat kids and as food for humans, especially infants [11,12].…”

Maillard Reactions – An Important Factor of the Safety and Quality of Infant Formula

“…С другой стороны, дополнительное внесение сыворотки и усложнение технологического процесса не требуется в случае дет-ских адаптированных смесей, изготовленных на осно-ве цельного козьего молока с нативным соотношени-ем основных групп белков молока 20:80. Убедительно доказано, что данный тип смеси обеспечивает ребен-ка всеми необходимыми аминокислотами и поддер-живают его нормальный рост и развитие [81]. Предва-рительные данные свидетельствуют о том, что в смеси на основе цельного козьего молока без добавления молочной сыворотки, содержание КМЛ минимально (рис.…”