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Protein in infant formulas. Future aspects of development.
1Nutrition and Infant Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Early Human Development
|April 2, 1999
Summary
Cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) in infants can lead to watery stools, even on specialized formulas. Elevated motilin levels, a gastrointestinal hormone, are linked to this persistent symptom in CMPI infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infant Nutrition
- Gastrointestinal Physiology
Background:
- Infants with cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) often experience malabsorption improvement but persistent watery stools when switched to hydrolysate formulas.
- Gastrointestinal hormones may play a role in altered gut motility and stool consistency in these infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of motilin and neurotensin in infants with CMPI on hydrolysate formulas compared to those on standard cow's milk formula.
- To determine if elevated gastrointestinal hormone levels contribute to persistent watery stools in CMPI.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of serum motilin and neurotensin levels in two groups of infants: 12 on standard cow's milk formula and 19 with CMPI on cow's milk protein hydrolysate formula.
- Statistical analysis to compare hormone levels between the groups.
Main Results:
- Infants with CMPI on hydrolysate formula showed significantly higher mean motilin levels (163.65 pmol/L) compared to infants on standard formula (71.66 pmol/L) (p<0.05).
- Neurotensin levels did not differ significantly between the two groups.
- Motilin levels were elevated in CMPI infants on hydrolysate formula, while neurotensin levels were comparable.
Conclusions:
- Elevated motilin levels in infants with CMPI on hydrolysate-based formula may be a key factor in causing increased gut motility.
- High motilin levels are implicated as a pathogenetic factor for persistent loose and watery stools in CMPI infants using protein hydrolysate formulas.