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Evaluation of full-term infants fed an evaporated milk formula
J K Friel1, W L Andrews, B S Simmons
1Department of Pediatrics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Canada.
Insights
Infants fed evaporated milk formula (EM) may have inadequate thiamin and selenium intake. Supplementation is recommended, especially for iron, to ensure adequate nutrition in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Infant feeding practices significantly impact nutritional status.
- Human milk, standard formula, and evaporated milk formula present distinct nutritional profiles.
- Early introduction of solids can influence nutrient intake and status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the nutritional status of infants fed human milk (BF), standard formula (FF), or evaporated milk formula (EM).
- To assess key micronutrient levels and intake in infants up to 6 months of age based on diet.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 89 full-term infants.
- Data collection included blood samples, diet records, and anthropometric measurements at enrollment, 3, and 6 months.
- Nutritional status assessed via ferritin, copper, selenium, and thiamin levels.
Main Results:
- Evaporated milk formula (EM) infants received solids earlier than FF and BF infants.
- EM group showed lower selenium and thiamin intake and abnormal thiamin levels.
- Abnormal ferritin levels were highest in the EM group (20/30 infants).
- Copper intake was lower in EM, but plasma copper and ZnCuSOD levels were comparable.
Conclusions:
- Evaporated milk formula (EM) may provide adequate copper but insufficient thiamin and selenium for infants.
- Iron supplementation is crucial for EM-fed infants to prevent inadequacy.
- Nutritional monitoring is essential for infants on evaporated milk formula.
Abstract:
The objective of this prospective, cohort study was to compare the nutritional status of full-term infants who were fed human milk (BF, n = 29), formula (FF, n = 30) or evaporated milk formulae (EM, n = 30) for at least 3 months. Infants were seen at enrollment, 3 and 6 months, at which times a blood sample, diet record and anthropometric data were collected. Infants in the EM group received solids earlier (12 +/- 5 weeks) than did FF infants (15 +/- 4 weeks), and both were earlier than BF infants (19 +/- 4 weeks). Only 26% of the EM fed group received iron supplements as ferrous sulphate drops. Seven BF, 12 FF and 20 EM had abnormal ferritin values (< 10 ng ml-1) at 6 months. Copper intake was lower in the EM infants at 3 and 6 months. However, plasma copper and erythrocyte copper zinc superoxide dismutase (ZnCuSOD) levels did not differ between groups. Selenium intake was lower in the EM group (5 +/- 1 and 10 +/- 5 micrograms d-1; 3 and 6 months) than in the FF infants (13 +/- 4 and 19 +/- 7 micrograms d-1; 3 and 6 months). Erythrocyte SeGHSPx levels in EM infants were lower at 6 months (EM, 33.2 +/- 3.4; FF. 35.2 +/- 3.9: BF, 36.1 +/- 3.8 mU mg Hb-1). Thiamin intake (0.99 +/- 0.08 and 1.24 +/- 0.32; 3 and 6 months, mg 1000 kcal-1) was higher in the FF group than in EM infants (0.38 +/- 0.39 and 0.66 +/- 0.38; 3 and 6 months). There were more (13%) abnormal thiamin assays in the EM group at 6 months than in the BF and FF infants (0%). In conclusion, infants fed evaporated milk formula receive adequate copper but may not receive enough thiamin or selenium. Unless supplemented from birth with medicinal iron, intakes of iron will be inadequate.