Effects of a new amino acid, rice glucose polymer-based, and commercial amino acid-based formulas on growth and protein status of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy

Abstract

Background: Infants with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) are at risk for nutrient inadequacy and impaired growth. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a new amino acid-based formula (nAAF) compared with commercial amino acid-based formula (cAAF) on growth and protein status of cow’s milk protein (CMP)-allergic infants and to compare their growth with those of healthy infants. Methods: Infants less than 6 months of age with CMPA were enrolled in the nAAF or cAAF groups. Healthy infants fed breast milk (BM) or infant formula (IF) were controls. They remained on their formula/milk until day 28 of the study. Anthropometric evaluation was performed at birth, day 0 and day 28 of the study and calculated to z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and head circumference-for-age (HAZ). Plasma amino acids, albumin, urea nitrogen, and creatinine were assessed for infants with CMPA on day 0 and day 28. Results: The nAAF and cAAF groups did not differ in increases in WAZ [regression coefficient (95%CI): 0.088 (-0.619, 0.796), p = 0.791], LAZ [0.045 (-0.789, 0.880, p = 0.909], and HAZ [-0.645 (-2.082, 0.793), p = 0.337] between day 0 and day 28. The increases in WAZ and LAZ during 28 days in the nAAF group did not differ from the controls. The changes in the blood chemistry values, except albumin, were not different between CMPA groups. Conclusion: The nAAF, similar to the cAAF, supports growth and protein status for infants with CMPA, and it might be used as a substitute for the cAAF.