Abstract
Recent data indicate that formula-fed infants gain more weight and fat-free mass (FFM) than breastfed infants between 1-4 months of age. The slower growth of breastfed infants is usually attributod to the finding that per unit of body weight intakes of energy and protein of breastfed infants are lower. However, it has not been established whether differences in body composition between formula-and breastfed infants persist between 4-12 months of age.
Methods: Weight, length and body composition (TOBECR) of healthy term infants who were weaned before (F;n=34) or after (B;n=28) 4 months of age and received solids after 4 months were measured at 30, 61, 91, 122, 153, 183, 274 and 365 + 2days of age.
Results: Weight- and length-gain tended to be higher between 1-4 inonths in the formula-fed infants but differences did not reach statistical significance (ANOVA). No influence of sex was found. Daily gain in FFM was significantly higher in the formula-fed infants but no differences in fat-gain were observed.
Between 4-12 months of age, weight-, length- and FFM-gain were not different between the two groups (B vs. F/ weight-gain: 13.3±2.3 vs.14.6±5 g/d: n.s.; length-gain: 1.5±0.3 vs.1.8±0.4 cm/mo: n.s.; FFM-gain: 9.44±1.2 vs.9.33±2.3 g/d: n.s.)
Conclusion: Our data indicate that only during the period when exclusive breastfeeding is recommended (0-4months), formula-fed infants deviate in their composition of weight-gain from breastfed infants. Botween 4-12 months of age, no differences in growth can be found between breast- and formula-fed infants, if solids are intreduced according to the suggest ions of the EC.
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Huemer, C., Maschke, F., Male, C. et al. DIFFERENCES IN BODY COMPOSITION BETWEEN BREAST- AND FORMULA-FED INFANTS - A FOLLOW UP UNTIL 12 MONTHS OF AGE. Pediatr Res 35, 283 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00170
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00170