EFFECT OF RICE CEREAL FEEDINGS ON BONE MINERALIZATION AND CALCIUM HOMEOSTASIS IN COW MILK FORMULA-FED INFANTS

Objective: We conducted a prospective randomized, single-blinded clini cal trial to test the hypothesis that intake of formula plus cereals b etween the ages of 16 and 26 weeks postnatally (as compared to formula alone) would lead to lower bone mineral content (BMC), higher parathy roid hormone (PTH) concentration, lower serum calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and osteocalcin (OC): and increased continuous night sleep. Metho ds: At 16 weeks postnatally, 41 healthy, term infants were randomized to formula alone or formula and cereal. Results: We found no significa nt differences in growth or sleep pattern, nor in BMC between groups. Serum PTH concentration was significantly increased in the cereal grou p at 26 weeks. Conclusion: We speculate that the increase in PTH is du e to relative Ca deficiency or is responsive to increased phosphate lo ad in the cereal group.