Effects of term infant formulas containing high sn-2 palmitate with and without oligofructose on stool composition, stool characteristics, and bifidogenicity.
OBJECTIVE
Levels of stool fatty acid soaps and beneficial bacteria differ between formula-fed and breast-fed infants; addition of specific formula ingredients may reduce these differences. This study evaluated the effects of a term infant formula containing high sn-2 palmitate term infant formula (sn-2) or an identical formula supplemented with oligofructose (OF) at 2 concentrations (sn-2+3 g/L OF, sn-2+5 g/L OF) on stool composition, stool characteristics, and fecal bifidobacteria.


METHODS
Healthy, term formula-fed infants 7 to 14 days old (n = 300) were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive standard formula (control), sn-2, sn-2+3 g/L OF, or sn-2+5 g/L OF for 8 weeks. Human milk (HM)-fed infants (n = 75) were studied in parallel. Stool samples were collected from all subjects at week 8 for fatty acid soaps and mineral content, and from a subset at baseline and week 8 for bifidobacteria. Stool characteristics were assessed via 3-day diary.


RESULTS
The sn-2 group had 46% less stool soap palmitate (P < 0.001) and softer stools than control (20% more mushy soft stools, P = 0.026; 50% fewer formed stools, P = 0.003). Addition of OF resulted in even fewer formed stools versus control (65% fewer for sn-2+3 g/L OF, 79% fewer for sn-2+5 g/L OF), with 5 g/L OF more closely resembling that of HM-fed infants. Both sn-2 (P < 0.05) and sn-2 with OF groups (P < 0.01) had significantly higher fecal bifidobacteria concentrations than control at week 8, not differing from HM-fed infants.


CONCLUSIONS
High sn-2-palmitate formulas led to reduced stool soaps, softer stools, and increased bifidobacteria, whereas addition of OF further improved stool consistency. Those modifications brought outcomes in formula-fed infants closer to that in HM-fed infants.
*Research and Development, Nestlé Nutrition, King of Prussia, PA †Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana ‡Department of Pediatrics, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Muntinlupa City, Philippines §Research and Development, Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland, Askeaton ||Medical Affairs Department, Wyeth Philippines Inc, Makati City, Philippines ¶Worldwide Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Peapack, NJ #Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Manjiang
M
Yao
Eric L
EL
Lien
Maria R Z
MR
Capeding
Margaret
M
Fitzgerald
Kalathur
K
Ramanujam
Rebecca
R
Yuhas
Robert
R
Northington
Jowena
J
Lebumfacil
Lin
L
Wang
Patricia A
PA
DeRusso
D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010168:Palmitates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047929:Term Birth; D055815:Young Adult
D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010168:Palmitates; C120489:oligofructose