Abstract
Objective
To compare the growth and nutritional status of infants fed goat milk–based formula (GMF) and cow milk–based formula (CMF).
Methods
The study was conducted in Beijing, China. It was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 79 infants aged 0–3 months old were recruited and randomized in GMF or CMF group. The infants were fed the allocated formula to 6 months. The weight, length, and head circumference were measured at the enrolment, 3 and 6 months. The start time and types of solid food were recorded. Blood elements, urinal, and fecal parameters were also tested.
Results
The average weight of infants in the GMF group (mean±SD) was 4.67±0.99 kg and in the CMF group 4.73±1.10 kg at enrolment, and 8.75±0.98 kg (GMF) and 8.92±0.88 kg (CMF) at 6 months. There were no differences in the adjusted intention-to-treat analyses of weight, length, head circumference, and BMI z-scores between the two formula-fed groups over the 6-month study. Similarly, there were no remarkable differences in the timing and types of solid food, blood elements, urinal, and feces parameters, between the GMF and CMF group. No group differences have been shown in bowel motion consistency, duration of crying, ease of settling, or frequency of adverse events.
Conclusions
GMF-provided growth and nutritional outcomes did not differ from those provided by CMF.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Fengbo Health Center in Shunyi District for their help with the study. We are grateful to Ausnutria Hyproca Dairy Group BV for providing the samples of goat milk–based formula and cow milk–based formula used in this study.