INFLUENCE OF ULTRAFILTRATED, PARTIALLY HY DROLYZED FORMULA ON GROWTH AND HEALTH OF YOUNG INFANTS

Introduction: Infant formulae on the basis of hydrolysed proteins are used therapeutically in children with cow's milk allergy and for prima ry prevention of cow's milk sensitization in infants at atopy risk. Th e aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of an ultraf iltrated, partially hydrolysed infant formula in promoting growth and health of young infants. Methods: 101 infants were assigned to one of three nutritional groups and were followed-up through the first 6 mont hs of life: 20 infants were breastfed, 28 received an adapted predomin antly whey protein based infant formula (A-KMN), 53 received an ultraf iltrated, partially hydrolysed whey protein formula (HA-UF). At 1, 3, 6 months (+/- 3 days) of life the infants were examined, and had a sta ndardized anthropometric evaluation. Food intake and case histories we re collected by protocols and standardized interviews of the mothers. Venous blood samples were drawn at 3 and 6 months of age. Results: Alt hough growth rate of infants during the first 3 months was not differe nt between the groups, body length and weight of infants receiving HA- UF were significantly higher than in breast-fed infants or in infants receiving A-KMN, Solid food was introduced at an earlier age in bottle -fed infants compared to breast-fed infants, The mean intake of solid foods after 4 months of age was also higher in both bottle-fed groups as compared to the breast-fed infants. There was no significant differ ence in hemoglobin concentrations, blood counts and serum values betwe en the nutritional groups except for a higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) at three months in the HA-UF-group and lower serum-phosphorus-va lues in breast-fed infants, Although disease prevalence were evenly di stributed between the groups, none of the breast-fed infants had been hospitalized, Conclusions: Under the present feeding habits in Germany no difference of growth or health status could be observed between in fants receiving an infant formula based on ultrafiltrated, partially h ydrolyzed whey compared to breast-fed infants or infants receiving a p redominantly whey protein based adapted formula.