Alpha-lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented infant formula in infants with colic: growth and gastrointestinal tolerance

Abstract

Studies undertaken with alpha-lactalbumin-enriched formulae never addressed infants with colic. This study evaluated the nutritional adequacy, the gastrointestinal tolerance and the effect on colic of an alpha-lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented formula. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 66 healthy infants with colic, aged 3 weeks to 3 months, fed during 1 month with the either experimental formula (EF, Modilac Digest 1) or control formula (CF) and evaluated for efficacy and safety parameters at days 15 and 30. Weight and height gains were identical in the two groups and complied with standards (1023.4+/-360.4 g (EF) and 1047.4+/-372.1 g (CF), NS; 4.2+/-1.4 cm (EF) and 4.3+/-1.9 cm (CF), NS). No differences were found between groups for crying duration. 'Feeding-related' gastrointestinal side effects were significantly lower with EF than with CF (P=0.011). An alpha-lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented formula guaranteed good weight and length gains to infants with colic and seemed to provide good gastrointestinal tolerance.