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Formula with reduced content of improved, partially hydrolyzed protein and probiotics: infant growth and health

  • Wachstum und frühe Ernährung II
  • Published:
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

This study determined growth and stool characteristics of infants fed a formula with reduced content of a partially hydrolyzed protein of improved quality and assessed the effect of the addition of a probiotic on infant growth and health.

Design, methods

The double-blind study involved three formulas: a reduced protein (1.90 g/100 kcal) formula (formula RP), the same formula with Bifidobacterium lactis (formula RP+P), and a higher-protein (2.39 g/100 kcal) control formula (C). Protein of the formulas consisted of partially hydrolyzed modified whey proteins. Normal term infants were randomly assigned to one of the formulas, which were fed from soon after birth to 4 months of age; 88 infants completed the study. Growth was measured and formula tolerance, stool characteristics, and illness incidence were recorded.

Results

All three formulas supported growth equally well. Plasma concentrations of urea and of threonine and proline were markedly (significantly) lower with RP and RP+P than with C. No differences in feeding-related behaviors were noted, but stools were softer with formula C than with the other formulas. Infants fed RP+P had significantly fewer episodes of diarrhea (0.21 episodes) than infants fed RP (0.41 episodes) or C (0.91 episodes).

Conclusion

A reduced-protein formula with and without added probiotics (B. lactis) supports normal growth of infants during the first 4 months. In addition, it leads to lower plasma levels of urea, threonine, and proline. Supplementation of the formula with Bifidobacterium lactis offers protection against diarrheal illness.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Ziel der Untersuchung war nachzuweisen, dass eine Nahrung mit niedrigem Gehalt an hochwertigem hydrolysiertem Kuhmilcheiweiß bei gesunden Säuglingen normales Wachstum ermöglicht. Des Weiteren sollte untersucht werden, ob der Zusatz eines Probiotikums zu der Nahrung das Wachstum der Säuglinge bzw. den Gesundheitszustand beeinflusst.

Material und Methoden

Die Untersuchung wurde als prospektive, randomisierte Untersuchung im Doppelblindverfahren durchgeführt. Zwei Nahrungen mit reduziertem Eiweißgehalt (1,90 g/100 kcal) enthielten ein neuartiges Gemisch an teilhydrolysierten Molkenproteinen. Eine dieser Nahrungen (RP+P) enhielt zusätzlich Bifidobacterium lactis. Eine dritte Nahrung mit einem höheren Gehalt (2,39 g/100 kcal) an etwas anders zusammengesetzten Molkenproteinen diente als Kontrollnahrung (C). Gesunde, reifgeborene Säuglinge wurden per Zufallsreihe auf die 3 Nahrungen aufgeteilt, welche vom 8. Lebenstag bis zum Ende des 4. Lebensmonats verfüttert wurden. Gewicht und Länge wurden regelmäßig gemessen, und die Eltern registrierten Stuhleigenschaften, kindliches Verhalten sowie etwaige Erkrankungen des Kindes.

Ergebnisse

Die Säuglinge gediehen mit allen 3 Nahrungen gleich gut. Die Plasmaspiegel von Harnstoff, Threonin und Prolin waren signifikant niedriger bei den Säuglingen, welche die Nahrung RP bzw. RP+P erhielten, als bei den mit der Nahrung C ernährten Säuglingen. Letztere zeigten signifikant weichere Stühle als Säuglinge, die mit RP bzw. RP+P ernährt wurden. Im Verhalten der Säuglinge wurden keine Unterschiede festgestellt. Säuglinge, denen Nahrung RP+P verfüttert wurde, hatten signifikant seltener Durchfall (0,21 Episoden pro Kind) als diejenigen, welchen Nahrung RP (0,41 Episoden) bzw. Nahrung C (0,91 Episoden) verfüttert wurde.

Schlussfolgerung

Nahrung mit reduziertem Gehalt an hochwertigem Eiweiß führt bei Säuglingen in den ersten 4 Monaten zu normalem Gedeihen bei gleichzeitig niedrigeren Plasmaspiegeln von Harnstoff, Threonin und Prolin. Der Zusatz eines Probiotikums (Bifidobacterium lactis) schützt gegen Durchfallerkrankungen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fomon Infant Nutrition Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, USA

    Ekhard E. Ziegler, Janice M. Jeter, Jean M. Drulis & Steven E. Nelson

  2. Nestec Ltd., Vevey, Switzerland

    Ferdinand Haschke & Philippe Steenhout

  3. Nestlé Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Cynthia Brown, Jean-Claude Maire & Corinne Hager

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City, IA 52242, USA

    Ekhard E. Ziegler

Authors
  1. Ekhard E. Ziegler
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  2. Janice M. Jeter
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  3. Jean M. Drulis
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  4. Steven E. Nelson
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  5. Ferdinand Haschke
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  6. Philippe Steenhout
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  7. Cynthia Brown
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  8. Jean-Claude Maire
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  9. Corinne Hager
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Correspondence to Ekhard E. Ziegler.

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Ziegler, E.E., Jeter, J.M., Drulis, J.M. et al. Formula with reduced content of improved, partially hydrolyzed protein and probiotics: infant growth and health. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 151 (Suppl 1), S65–S71 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00112-003-0804-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00112-003-0804-0

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