Gastric electrical activity in normal neonates during the first year of life: effect of feeding with breast milk and formula.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effect of feeding with milk on the gastrointestinal tract, we studied gastric electrical activity in 27 healthy fullterm newborns (15 formula-fed newborns and 12 breast-fed newborns) during the first 6 months of life.


METHODS
Three-hour electrogastrography (EGG) recordings were performed, using portable equipment, from the third to fifth day after birth until 6 months, at 3-month intervals. The EGG parameters were calculated as raw and integrated data, the latter as AUC of the whole postprandial period.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the fasting 3-cpm activity between the two groups (repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] P=0.02; multiple comparisons: formula milk at birth vs breast milk at birth P<0.001). In addition, a significant change in the percentage of postprandial bradygastria was found at 6 months, 1 month after weaning (repeated measures ANOVA, P=0.01; multiple comparisons: formula milk at 6 months vs formula milk at 3 months, P=0.03, formula milk at 6 months vs formula milk at birth, P=0.02; breast milk at 6 months vs breast milk at 3 months, P=0.03, breast milk at 6 months vs breast milk at birth P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
An adult-like gastric 3-cpm activity can be observed in breast-fed newborns in contrast to formula-fed ones, probably as an effect of colostrum. The high bradygastria percentage recorded at 6 months of life might be the result of an increased low-frequency component of the EGG signal because of the transition to a mixed diet.
Riezzo
Giuseppe
G
Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, IRCCS Digestive Disease Hospital, Via F Valente, 4, 70013 Castellana Grotte (BA), Italy.
Castellana
Rosa Maria
RM
De Bellis
Teresa
T
Laforgia
Francesca
F
Indrio
Flavia
F
Chiloiro
Marisa
M
D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning