Abstract
ABSTRACT: Casein-predominant infant milk formulas have been speculated to predispose to lactobezoar formation in preterm infants due to delayed gastric emptying. There have been, however, no prospective studies to prove this possi-bility. In a randomized, double-blinded, prospective study, we tested the hypothesis that preterm infants fed casein-predominant milk formula have slower gastric emptying than infants fed whey-predominant formulas. Twenty pre-term infants within the first 4 d of life were randomized to receive either the whey-predominant formula Similac Special Care (whey:casein ratio 60:40) or an experimental casein-predominant formula (whey:casein ratio 18:82). Only the protein composition differed between the two formulas. The infants were fed the assigned study formula until they reached approximately 2200 g body weight when a gastric emptying scan was performed, using the designated study formula mixed with 25 μCi of technetium-99 sulfur colloid. Gastric emptying was followed continuously for 2 h. Gastric emptying at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min was similar between the two study groups. The time for 50% gastric emptying was 64.9 ± 12.3 min for the infants fed the whey-predominant formula and 56.5 ± 14.8 min for those fed the casein-predominant formula (p = 0.75). We conclude that the rate of gastric emptying in preterm infants fed casein-predominant formulas is similar to that in those fed whey-predominant formulas.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Thorkelsson, T., Mimouni, F., Namgung, R. et al. Similar Gastric Emptying Rates for Casein- and Whey-Predominant Formulas in Preterm Infants. Pediatr Res 36, 329–333 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199409000-00010
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199409000-00010
This article is cited by
-
Systematic review of the impact of feed protein type and degree of hydrolysis on gastric emptying in children
BMC Gastroenterology (2015)
-
Een lactobezoar bij een zuigeling met excessief huilen
Tijdschrift voor kindergeneeskunde (2010)
-
Zuigelingenvoedingen: overwegend wei-eiwit of caseïne?
Tijdschrift voor kindergeneeskunde (2002)