Gastric emptying in healthy newborns fed an intact protein formula, a partially and an extensively hydrolysed formula

Abstract

Background & aims: Gastric emptying (GE) is influenced by the type of nutrition. The objective of this study was to compare GE in infants fed an intact protein formula (IPF), a partially hydrolysed formula (PHF), and an extensively hydrolysed formula (EHF).

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. Following a fasting period of > or = 3 h, 20 healthy newborns were fed IPF, PHF, and EHF containing 50 microl (13)C-octanoic acid (OA). Breath samples were taken before feeding and every 15 min for 4 h thereafter. (13)C-OA breath test was assessed by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, and GE half-times (t(1/2)) were determined.

Results: Seventeen infants with a mean gestational age of 37 wk (range 28-40 wk) and birth weight of 2698 g (range 720-3690 g) completed the study. At study initiation, the mean age was 31 d (range 6 d-13 wk) and the mean weight was 3466 g (range 2100-5700 g). EHF emptied significantly faster than IPF and PHF (medians 46 vs. 55 and 53 min, respectively, Wilcoxon, P<0.05 for both). There was no significant difference between GE of PHF and IPF (Wilcoxon, P=0.2).

Conclusions: EHF may be better tolerated by infants with GE problems.