Effects of term infant formulas containing high sn-2 palmitate with and without oligofructose on stool composition, stool characteristics, and bifidogenicity

• Published in: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vol. 59; no. 4; p. 440
• Main Authors: Yao, Manjiang, Lien, Eric L, Capeding, Maria R Z, Fitzgerald, Margaret, Ramanujam, Kalathur, Yuhas, Rebecca, Northington, Robert, Lebumfacil, Jowena, Wang, Lin, DeRusso, Patricia A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Bifidobacterium; Breast Feeding; Constipation - etiology; Defecation - drug effects; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Female; Hardness; Humans; Infant; Infant Food; Infant Formula - chemistry; Infant, Newborn; Male; Milk, Human; Oligosaccharides - pharmacology; Palmitates - metabolism; Palmitates - pharmacology; Term Birth; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1536-4801
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000443

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. 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. 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. 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.