Closer to the gold standard: an appraisal of formulae available in Italy for use in formula-fed infants.
Infant formulae are the only alternatives to breast milk for infants who are unable to continue breastfeeding through the first year of life. They aim to provide formula-fed infants with the same structural and functional benefits observed in breastfed infants. To achieve this, bioactive nutrients have been added to infant formulae in recent years: long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for neurodevelopment; probiotics and prebiotics for local gastrointestinal defence; and nucleotides for promoting the immune response. Changes in protein quantity and quality allow infant formulae to achieve a balance between providing the correct plasma amino acid profile and reducing the protein intake, which could prevent obesity in later life. Hydrolysed proteins may help prevent atopic disorders. Many short-term trials have been published but long-term follow-up data are needed in infants who have been fed the newer infant formulae, to fully understand the role of bioactive nutrients.
Riva
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Department of Paediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy. enrica.riva@unimi.it
Verduci
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Agostoni
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Giovannini
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D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000032:analysis; D019936:Probiotics / Q000032:analysis; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D002241:Carbohydrates; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D009711:Nucleotides; D011506:Proteins