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Differences in serum biochemistry between breast-fed and formula-fed infants

Tzee-Chung Wu1, I-Fei Huang, Yi-Chun Chen

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Medical Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
|November 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Breast milk and formula feeding lead to distinct infant serum biochemistry profiles, with breast-fed infants showing higher levels of cholesterol, liver enzymes, and bilirubin. These findings provide crucial reference values for infant health monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Biochemistry
  • Infant Nutrition
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Investigating differences in serum biochemistry between breast-fed and formula-fed infants.
  • Establishing reference values for serum biochemistry in infants at 4 and 8 weeks old for clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum biochemistry levels in breast-fed versus formula-fed infants.
  • To provide normative data for serum biochemistry at different infant ages.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 60 healthy infants (30 breast-fed, 30 formula-fed).
  • Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference) were recorded at 4 and 8 weeks old.
  • 14 serum biochemistry markers were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in growth parameters between groups.
  • Breast-fed infants had higher serum cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT, AST, GGT, and bilirubin levels.
  • Breast-fed infants had lower serum BUN and inorganic phosphate levels compared to formula-fed infants.
  • Significant age-related changes in serum biochemistry were observed in both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Infant nutrition source significantly impacts serum biochemistry.
  • Serum biochemistry reference values vary with postnatal age.
  • These findings aid in interpreting infant laboratory results.
Abstract

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