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Supplementation of infant formula with milk fat globule membranes improves cognitive performance and reduces infections in formula‐fed infants (38.2)
Author(s) -
Lönnerdal Bo,
Timby Niklas,
Domellöf Magnus,
Domellöf Erik,
Hernell Olle
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.38.2
Subject(s) - breast milk , medicine , infant formula , bayley scales of infant development , incidence (geometry) , randomized controlled trial , cognition , breast feeding , gastroenterology , pediatrics , biology , physics , optics , psychomotor learning , biochemistry , psychiatry
Unidentified breast milk factors may explain some of the observed differences in neurodevelopment and infectious diseases between formula‐fed and breast‐fed infants. Breast milk contains MFGM, a source of several bioactive components, whilst infant formula (IF) does not. A double‐blind RCT was performed to elucidate whether supplementation of formula with bovine MFGM would improve neurodevelopment and reduce morbidity in infectious diseases. Stratified for sex, 160 healthy term infants <2 mo were randomized to standard formula (SF) or experimental formula (EF) supplemented with a bovine MFGM‐enriched fraction until 6 mo of age. Breast‐fed infants (n=80) served as a reference group (BFR). Cognitive, motor and verbal function was assessed using Bayley III at 12 mo of age. Disease symptoms were recorded prospectively by parents. The cognitive score (mean ±SD) was higher in the EF group (105.8 ± 9.2) than in the SF group (101.8 ± 8.0), p=0.008, and there was no difference in cognitive score between the EF group and the BFR group (106.4 ± 9.5), p=0.73. There were no differences in motor or verbal scores between the EF and SF groups. The EF group had significantly lower incidence of acute otitis media (p = 0.034) and use of antipyretics (p= 0.021) during the first 6 mo compared to the SF group. In conclusion, bovine MFGM includes factors essential for optimal development of both cognitive and immune function and can be supplemented to IF.