Protein in infant formulas - Future aspects of development

Cow's milk protein intolerant infants (CMPI), shifted to a cow's milk prote in hydrolysate based formula, often experience an improvement in signs of m alabsorption; on the other hand, they also present a pattern of watery stoo ls. In an attempt to find high levels of some gastrointestinal hormones tha t might induce hypermotility, motilin and neurotensin levels were studied i n infants on starting formula and in cow's milk protein intolerant infants, on a cow's milk protein hydrolysate based formula. In 12 infants on unmodi fied cow's milk based formula (starting formula), motilin levels were: mean 71.66 pmol/L (s: 17); neurotensin 26.53 (s: 10.9), In 19 cow's milk protei n intolerant infants on a cow's milk protein hydrolysate based formula, mot ilin levels were: mean 163.65 pmol/L (s: 70.06) (p < 0.05); neurotensin: 31 .76 pmol/L (s: 15.03) (p > 0.05). Motilin (but not neurotensin) is higher i n cow's milk protein intolerant infants on a cow's milk protein hydrolysate based formula. We conclude that high motilin levels can induce a different pattern of motility, and can be a pathogenetic factor in the persistence o f loose and watery stools in infants with CMPI on a protein hydrolysate bas ed formula. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.