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Improved Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 5.5 Years of Age in Children Who Received Bovine Milk Fat Globule Membrane
John Colombo1, Cheryl L Harris2, Jennifer L Wampler2
1Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.
Insights
Infant formula with added milk fat globule membrane and lactoferrin improved cognitive development in children. At 5.5 years, these children showed higher intelligence and executive function scores compared to standard formula controls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cow milk-based infant formulas are standard nutrition for infants.
- Specific components like milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin (LF) are being investigated for their role in neurodevelopment.
- Understanding the long-term impact of specialized infant formulas is crucial for optimizing child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5.5 years of age in children fed infant formula with added bovine milk fat globule membrane and bovine lactoferrin (MFGM+LF) compared to a standard cow milk-based formula.
- To evaluate cognitive development, executive function, and behavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial comparing MFGM+LF formula to standard formula for up to 12 months of age.
- Neurodevelopmental assessments at 5.5 years included the Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV), Stroop Task, Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
- Statistical analyses controlled for demographic and socioeconomic factors.
Main Results:
- Children in the MFGM+LF group showed significantly higher scores in Visual Spatial, Processing Speed, and Full-Scale IQ on the WPPSI-IV compared to the control group.
- Executive function measures, including the Stroop Task and DCCS, also demonstrated significant improvements in the MFGM+LF group.
- No significant differences were observed in behavioral or emotional outcomes as measured by the CBCL.
Conclusions:
- Infant formula supplemented with bovine MFGM and LF supports enhanced cognitive development and executive function up to 5.5 years of age.
- These findings suggest a potential benefit of MFGM and LF in specialized infant formulas for long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms by which MFGM and LF influence cognitive maturation.
Objective:
To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes at 5.5 years of age in children who were previously randomized to cow milk-based infant formula (control) or similar formula (milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin) with added sources of bovine milk fat globule membrane and bovine lactoferrin through 12 months of age.
Design:
Children who completed study feeding were invited to participate in follow-up assessments: cognitive development across multiple domains (primary outcome; Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th Edition), inhibitory control/rule learning (Stroop Task), flexibility/rule learning (Dimensional Change Card Sort), and behavior/emotion (Child Behavior Checklist).
Results:
Of 292 eligible participants (control: 148, milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin: 144), 116 enrolled and completed assessments (control: 59, milk fat globule membrane + LF: 57). There were no group demographic differences except family income (milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin significantly higher). Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence, 4th Edition composite scores (mean ± standard error) for Visual Spatial (100.6 ± 1.7 vs 95.3 ± 1.7; P = .027), Processing Speed (107.1 ± 1.4 vs 100.0 ± 1.4; P < .001), and Full-Scale IQ (98.7 ± 1.4 vs 93.5 ± 1.5; P = .012) were significantly higher for milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin versus control, even after controlling for demographic/socioeconomic factors. Stroop Task scores were significantly higher in milk fat globule membrane + lactoferrin versus control (P < .001). Higher Dimensional Change Card Sort scores (P = .013) in the border phase (most complex/challenging) were detected, and more children passed the border phase (32% vs 12%; P = .039) for milk fat globule membrane versus control. No group differences in Child Behavior Checklist score were detected.
Conclusions:
Children who received infant formula to 12 months of age with added bovine milk fat globule membrane and bovine lactoferrin versus standard formula demonstrated improved cognitive outcomes in multiple domains at 5.5 years of age, including measures of intelligence and executive function.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04442477.
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