Study design
- Cluster-randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial conducted in China
Subject and Intervention
Control group (n = 59),
- Healthy, term formula-fed infants
- Fed standard cow’s milk formula with 10.3% palmitate acid in sn-2 position
Sn-2 group (n = 58),
- Healthy, term formula-fed infants
- Fed standard cow’s milk formula with 46.3% palmitate acid in sn-2 position
BF group (n = 57),
- Breastfed infants
- Fed exclusively with breast milk
Study duration
- Baseline (week 0) to week 24 of life
Results
Fecal bifidobacteria,
- At baseline, no significant difference in the relative abundance of fecal bifidobacteria was identified among groups;
- At week 16 (p = 0.001) and 24 (p = 0.028), control group had significantly lower relative abundance of fecal bifidobacteria vs. sn-2 group or breastfed;
- At week 16 and 24, no significance difference in the relative abundance of fecal bifidobacterial was identified between sn-2 group and BF group.
Neurodevelopmental scores,
- At week 16, sn-2 group had significantly higher adjusted median score for fine motor skills vs. control group (p = 0.021);
- At week 16, sn-2 group had no significant difference in adjusted median score for fine motor skills vs. BF group;
- At week 24, no significance differences in any domains were observed among groups;
Conclusion
- Elevating the level of sn-2 palmitate in milk formula improved infants’ fine motor skills development which is associated with an increased gut bifidobacteria level.
Link to publication:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33671493/
WYE-EM-066-APR-21
Reference
Wu W et al. Neurodevelopmental outcomes and gut bifidobacterial in term infants fed an infant formula containing high sn-2 palmitate: a cluster randomized clinical trial. Nutrients. 2021;13:693.
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