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Determinants of infant formula use and relation with growth in the first 4 months

Aisha Betoko1, Marie-Aline Charles, Régis Hankard

  • 1INSERM, CESP, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Epidemiology of Diabetes, Obesity and Chronic Kidney Disease Over the Life Course, Villejuif, France Paris Sud 11 University, UMRS 1018, Villejuif, France INSERM, CIC 0802, Clinical Investigation Centre, University hospital, Poitiers, France INSERM, UMRS 953, Epidemiological Research Unit on Perinatal Health and Women's and Children's Health, Villejuif, France UPMC, Paris 06 University, Paris, France.

Maternal & Child Nutrition
|May 31, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Infant formula choice depends on parents, not infant growth. Partially hydrolyzed or thickened formulas are linked to parental factors, not infant development outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The variety of infant formulas presents a challenge for parents and healthcare providers.
  • Understanding factors influencing formula selection is crucial for appropriate infant nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between infant formula type and parental/child characteristics.
  • To examine the relationship between infant formula type and infant growth up to 4 months.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 1349 infants from the EDEN mother-child cohort.
  • Maternal self-report for feeding mode and formula type at 4 months.
  • Growth data (weight, height) collected from birth to 4 months, analyzed using WHO standards and regression models.

Main Results:

  • Partially hydrolyzed formulas were associated with primiparous mothers, longer breastfeeding duration, and family allergy history.
  • Thickened formulas were linked to mothers returning to work and shorter breastfeeding duration.
  • No significant relationship was found between infant growth (weight-for-age, length-for-age z-scores) and the type of formula used.

Conclusions:

  • Infant formula selection is primarily influenced by parental characteristics and circumstances.
  • Infant growth in the first four months is not significantly related to the type of formula consumed.
  • Factors other than formula type play a more significant role in infant growth during the initial months of life.

Keywords:
breastfeedingformula feedinggrowthinfantlongitudinal studysocio-demographic factors

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