Nutrition in the first months of life with a new formula containing maltodextrins and enriched with long-chain fatty acids
Cavalli, C.; Zoppi, G.
La Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica Medical and Surgical Pediatrics 18(5): 473-476
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5387 PMID: 9053885 Document Number: 468823
According to the recent acquisition about the biochemical properties of the carbohydrates contained in human milk, the addition of maltodextrins to infant formulas became recommended. We refer about the preliminary data of the first utilization of a new formula (Aptamil 1 "Nuova Formula") in which both maltodextrins and Long Chain Fatty Acids are added. Sixty-seven infants were enrolled to the study for the first 4 months of life. Forty-three of them (64%) completed the study and were grouped as follows: Group 1 = 15 subjects exclusively formula-fed (4F, 11M), Group 2 = 21 infants with mixed feeding (breast + formula), Group 3 = 7 cases in which Aptamil 1 "Nuova Formula" substituted another formula (4F, 3M). Auxologic parameters (weight, length, head circumference) were among the normal standard limits according to the percentile charts of the Boston Children's Medical Center. All infants enjoyed the taste of the milk we tested. The food regimen was changed in 4/67 (6%) infants because of alimentary intolerance suspicion but 2/4 infants were subsequently fed with soya milk formula and with an "hypoallergenic" milk respectively, the other 2 continued with another formula. The weight growth chart in infants of Group 1 tended to bend down a little bit between the 3rd and 4th month, reminding the breast-fed infants behavior. Considering the daily milk volume assumed by the same subjects, we found a statistical difference (p < or = 0.01) between the volumes of milk assumed in the 2nd and the 3rd month of life but from the 3rd to the 4th month there was no statistical difference in daily milk volumes. This resembles the breast-fed infants behavior as well. According to our preliminary results the new milk formula we tested seems a very good substitute when an infant can't be breast-fed for any reason.