Gastric emptying in healthy newborns fed an intact protein formula, a partially and an extensively hydrolysed formula

Summary Background & aims Gastric emptying (GE) is influenced by the type of nutrition. The objective of this study was to compare GE in infants fed an intact protein formula (IPF), a partially hydrolysed formula (PHF), and an extensively hydrolysed formula (EHF). Methods This was a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study. Following a fasting period of ≥3 h, 20 healthy newborns were fed IPF, PHF, and EHF containing 50 μl13 C-octanoic acid (OA). Breath samples were taken before feeding and every 15 min for 4 h thereafter.13 C-OA breath test was assessed by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, and GE half-times ( t1/2 ) were determined. Results Seventeen infants with a mean gestational age of 37 wk (range 28–40 wk) and birth weight of 2698 g (range 720–3690 g) completed the study. At study initiation, the mean age was 31 d (range 6 d–13 wk) and the mean weight was 3466 g (range 2100–5700 g). EHF emptied significantly faster than IPF and PHF (medians 46 vs. 55 and 53 min, respectively, Wilcoxon, P < 0.05 for both). There was no significant difference between GE of PHF and IPF (Wilcoxon, P = 0.2). Conclusions EHF may be better tolerated by infants with GE problems.