Milk Fat Globule Membrane Supplementation in Children: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

(1) Background: Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), composing fat droplets responsible for lipid transport in breast milk, has been shown to possess immunological and antimicrobial effects. Standard formulas (SF) are devoid of MFGMs during the production process. The study's aim was to evaluate the safety and benefits of MFGMs supplementation in children. (2) Methods: We searched four databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating the supplementation of MFGMs in children. Growth parameters were chosen as the primary outcome. (3) Results: Twenty-four publications of seventeen studies were included. Meta-analyses assessing the primary outcomes at the age of 4 months included four studies (814 children) comparing the MFGM-supplemented formulas and SF, and two trials (549 children) comparing the MFGM-supplemented formulas and breastfeeding. The primary outcomes were non-inferior in all the experimental MFGM formulas compared to SF, or even represented more similar results to breastfed infants. The promising effects, including a lower incidence of acute otitis media and improved cognitive development, cannot be firmly confirmed due to the small amount of existing evidence. No significant adverse effects were reported in any of the assessed products. (4) Conclusions: The available data signaled beneficial effects and a good safety profile, requiring future research with well-designed trials.

Keywords: MFGM; children; feeding; infant formula; milk fat globule membrane.

Figure 1

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram.

Figure 2

The meta-analyses of growth parameters measured at 4 months of age between children fed with standard formula or breastfed and formulas supplemented with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM): (a) Weight comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (b) Weight comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding; (c) Length comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (d) Length comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding; (e) Head circumference comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (f) Head circumference comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding.

Figure 2

The meta-analyses of growth parameters measured at 4 months of age between children fed with standard formula or breastfed and formulas supplemented with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM): (a) Weight comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (b) Weight comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding; (c) Length comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (d) Length comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding; (e) Head circumference comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with the standard formulas; (f) Head circumference comparing the experimental formulas (including MFGM) with breastfeeding.