A double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in bottle-fed infants.
BACKGROUND
Lactoferrin has an array of biological activities that include growth, immune modulation, and antimicrobial effects. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to examine the impact of bovine lactoferrin supplementation in infants.


METHODS
Healthy, formula-fed infants, > or =34 weeks' gestation and < or =4 weeks of age, enrolled in a pediatric clinic. Infants received either formula supplemented with lactoferrin (850 mg/L) or commercial cow milk-based formula (102 mg/L) for 12 months. Growth parameters and information on gastrointestinal, respiratory, and colic illnesses were collected for the infants' first year. Antibodies to immunizations and hematologic parameters were measured at 9 and 12 months.


RESULTS
The lactoferrin-enhanced formula was well tolerated. There were significantly fewer lower respiratory tract illnesses, primarily wheezing, in the 26 lactoferrin-fed (0.15 episodes/y) compared with the 26 regular formula-fed (0.5 episodes/y) infants (P < 0.05). Significantly higher hematocrit levels at 9 months (37.1% vs 35.4%; P < 0.05) occurred in the lactoferrin-supplemented group compared with the control formula group.


CONCLUSIONS
Lactoferrin supplementation was associated with potentially beneficial outcomes such as significantly fewer lower respiratory tract illnesses and higher hematocrits. Larger, more focused studies in infants are warranted.
King
James C
JC
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. jking@peds.umaryland.edu
Cummings
Ginny E
GE
Guo
Nan
N
Trivedi
Leena
L
Readmond
Bernard X
BX
Keane
Virginia
V
Feigelman
Susan
S
de Waard
Rick
R
D000818:Animals; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D002417:Cattle; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects
D007781:Lactoferrin