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α-Lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented infant formula in infants with colic: growth and gastrointestinal tolerance

Abstract

Studies undertaken with α-lactalbumin-enriched formulae never addressed infants with colic. This study evaluated the nutritional adequacy, the gastrointestinal tolerance and the effect on colic of an α-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 α-lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented formula guaranteed good weight and length gains to infants with colic and seemed to provide good gastrointestinal tolerance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Sodilac, France. We thank the Ordesa Group for providing scientific support. The protocol was carried out by the following general paediatricians: Dr N Belaroussi Maamri, Dr F Gressin-Cohen, Dr C Grillon, Dr S Hadji, Dr N Kalach, Dr B Pacault, Dr C Rizk, Dr A Locquet and Dr K Ara.

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Correspondence to C Dupont.

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Honoraria were granted to Professor C Dupont for coordination of the study and to all investigators, including Dr N Belaroussi, Dr F Gressin-Cohen, Dr C Grillon, Dr S Hadji, Dr N Kalach, Dr B Pacault, Dr C Rizk, Dr A Locquet and Dr K Ara.

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Dupont, C., Rivero, M., Grillon, C. et al. α-Lactalbumin-enriched and probiotic-supplemented infant formula in infants with colic: growth and gastrointestinal tolerance. Eur J Clin Nutr 64, 765–767 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.81

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