ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of lactoferrin fortified formula milk on growth and blood erythrocyte indices among infants.Methods In this prospective multi -center controlled intervention study,a total of 260 infants were selected from six maternal and children's health care hospitals in the area.All subjects were divided into two groups with the sequence of outpatient:lactoferrin fortified formula milk group (fortified group,FG,containing lactoferrin 38 mg/100 g milk and iron element 4mg/100 g milk)and no lactoferrin fortified milk (control group,CG,containing lactoferrin 0 mg/100 g milk and iron element 4.2 mg/100 g milk)for 3 months.The levels of weight,height and head circumference and the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb),serum ferritin (SF),red blood cell count (RBC),hematocrit(Hct),mean corpuscular volume (MCV ), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH ), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC),red blood cells volume distribution width (RDW)and HAZ,WAZ and WHZ were recorded before and after intervention,respectively.Results A total of 213 (including 115 in FG,and 98 in CG)infants were included in the intervention trial and all measurement of biochemical indicators were detected.There were no significant difference in the average amount of daily intake of formula milk (94.3 ±9.8 g vs.88.2 ±8.7 g for FG and CG,P >0.05)and iron element (3.8 ±0.4 mg vs.3.7 ±0.6 mg for FG and CG,P >0.05).The average amount of daily intake of lactoferrin for infants in FG group was 35.8 ±3.7 mg.The levels of weight,WAZ,WHZ,Hb,SF,MCV and MCHC of infants in FG after intervention were all significantly higher than those of infants in CG [weight,(8723 ±245)g vs.(8558 ±214)g;WAZ,(1.02 ±0.31)vs.(0.44 ±0.18);WHZ,(0.98 ±0.31)vs.(0.41 ±0.12);Hb,(125.5 ±15.4)g/L vs. (116.9 ±13.1)g/L;SF,(44.7 ±17.2)μg/L vs.(31.6 ±18.4)μg/L,but significantly lower for the prevalence of anemia (4.35% vs.7.14%)and iron deficiency (13.91% vs.24.49%)(P <0.05).Conclusion The intervention of lactoferrin fortified formula milk presented significant effects on iron metabolic homeostasis and erythrocyte indices of infant with breastfeeding.