A comparative trial of casein or whey-predominant formulae in healthy infants

This study compared two infant formulae, one casein-predominant, Vitamilk and the other whey-predominant, Nurture. The nutritional components of Nurture were modified to be more similar to breast milk. This was a six week prospective double blind study of 100 healthy infants whose mothers had decided to bottle feed. The infants receiving Nurture showed significantly greater weight gain (p less than 0.005) and growth in head circumference (p less than 0.05) than those given Vitamilk. Analysis of the red cell membrane fatty acid profiles of the two groups showed significant differences which reflected the different fatty acids in the formulae. Nurture fed infants had significantly higher oleic and linoleic acid levels (p less than 0.001) and similar arachidonic acid levels to those fed Vitamilk. In both groups the concentrations of the essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic were satisfactory. The blood urea concentrations were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) and the serum albumin concentrations significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the infants fed Nurture. The formulae were well tolerated by all but seven infants. Four infants fed Vitamilk changed to a different formula because of constipation accompanied by sleeping problems, while three of those fed Nurture were changed, one for constipation and two with an atopic family history because of rashes and other symptoms. Constipation was significantly less frequent (p less than 0.01) in the infants receiving Nurture. While both formulae are satisfactory milk preparations for healthy infants, Nurture appeared to be superior.