Protein intake and metabolism in formula-fed infants given Swedish or Italian weaning foods

The aim of the study was to compare protein intake and metabolism between i nfants from two countries given similar infant formulae but different weani ng foods. Healthy Swedish and Italian infants were studied between 3 and 12 mo. Infants in both populations were assigned to 1 of 3 infant formulae, c ontaining 13, 15 or 18/20 g l(-1) of protein, given in addition to Swedish or Italian weaning foods. Protein intake from weaning foods was higher in I talian than in Swedish infants at 6 and 12 mo, whereas protein intake from formula at 6 mo and from formula/milk at 12 mo was similar in both populati ons. Plasma isoleucine, leucine, lysine, histidine and valine at 6 mo were lower in Italian than in Swedish infants fed formula with 13 g l(-1) of pro tein. All essential plasma amino acids were similar in Italian and Swedish groups at 12 ma. Serum urea was similar at 6 mo in corresponding formula gr oups, but was higher at 12 mo in the Italian than in the Swedish formula gr oup. Serum albumin and growth were normal in both populations throughout in fancy. In conclusion, formula with protein content of 13 g l(-1) seems to p rovide sufficient protein intake. when combined with Swedish or Italian wea ning foods during the second half of infancy, as indicated by normal serum albumin and normal growth. However, the bioavailability of protein and amin o acids from weaning foods, in addition to their protein content, should be considered, as indicated by some indices of protein metabolism in the Ital ian infants.