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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Apr 27;15(9):2110.
doi: 10.3390/nu15092110.

The Effect of Goat-Milk-Based Infant Formulas on Growth and Safety Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mateusz Jankiewicz  1 , Linde van Lee  2 , Mirthe Biesheuvel  3 , Elske M Brouwer-Brolsma  3 , Lucie van der Zee  2 , Hania Szajewska  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The Effect of Goat-Milk-Based Infant Formulas on Growth and Safety Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mateusz Jankiewicz et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Goat-milk-based infant formulas (GMFs) are now available in several countries, having been approved by authorities. We systematically evaluated the effects of GMF compared with cow-milk-based formula (CMF) on infant growth and safety parameters. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched (December 2022) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (ROB-2). Heterogeneity was quantified by I2. Four RCTs involving a total of 670 infants were identified. All trials revealed some concern in ROB-2. Furthermore, all of the included studies were funded by the industry. Compared with infants fed CMF, those fed GMF showed similar growth in sex- and age-adjusted z-scores for weight (mean difference, MD, 0.21 [95% confidence interval, CI, -0.16 to 0.58], I2 = 56%), length (MD 0.02, [95% CI -0.29 to 0.33], I2 = 24%), and head circumference (MD 0.12, 95% [CI -0.19 to 0.43], I2 = 2%). Stool frequency was similar among the groups. Due to differences in the reporting of stool consistency, no firm conclusion can be drawn. Adverse effects (serious or any) were similar in both groups. These findings provide reassurance that GMFs compared with CMFs are safe and well tolerated.

Keywords: children; feeding; goat; growth; infant; infant formula; nutrition.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.J. has no conflict to declare. H.S. has participated as a clinical investigator, and/or advisory board member, and/or consultant, and/or speaker for Arla, BioGaia, Biocodex, Danone, Dicofarm, Nestlé, NNI, Nutricia, Mead Johnson.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram. RCT, randomized controlled trial; GMF, goat milk formula.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias assessment. GMF, goat-milk-based formula; CMF, cow-milk-based formula; HM, human milk, Grant 2005 [20], He 2022 [23], Xu 2015 [22], Zhou 2014 [21].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Anthropometrics of infants fed goat-milk-based formula (GMF) compared to cow-milk-based formula (CMF), Grant 2005 [20], He 2022 [23], Xu 2015 [22], Zhou 2014 [21].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anthropometrics of infants fed goat-milk-based formula (GMF) compared to human milk (HM), He 2022 [23], Zhou 2014 [21].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Stool frequency of infants fed goat-milk-based formula (GMF) compared to cow-milk-based formula (CMF), He 2022 [23], Zhou 2014 [21].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Stool frequency of infants fed goat-milk-based formula (GMF) compared to human milk (HM), He 2022 [23], Zhou 2014 [21].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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