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Table 2 Baseline characteristics and safety parameters according to feeding group§

From: Infant formula with cow’s milk fat and prebiotics affects intestinal flora, but not the incidence of infections during infancy in a double-blind randomized controlled trial

 

HbPA+ group

Control group

BF group

Baseline characteristics

n = 31

n = 27

n = 18

Gender m/f

15/16

16/11

10/8

Mean birth weight ± SD (g)

3287 ± 377

3354 ± 376

3520 ± 444

Mean gestational age ± SD (weeks)

39.2 ± 1,2

39.6 ± 1,2

39.7 ± 1.3

Cesarean delivery, n (%)

6 (19)

5 (19)

6 (33)

Antibiotic treatment prior to birth, n (%)

1 (3)

2 (7)

2 (11)

Parent with higher education entrance qualific. (Abitur), n (%)

9 (29)

4 (15)

10 (56)*

Anthropometrics

n = 31

n = 27

n = 18

Mean weight gain ± SD after 12 weeks (g/d)

31.2 ± 9.5

32.6 ± 10.1

27.9 ± 8.4

Mean length gain ± SD after 12 weeks (cm/d)

0.11 ± 0.02

0.11 ± 0.03

0.09 ± 0.03**

Mean head growth ± SD after 12 weeks (cm/d)

0.06 ± 0.01

0.06 ± 0.01

0.06 ± 0.01

Formula consumption

n = 30

n = 27

 

Mean formula intake at 6 weeks (ml/kg bw)

155 ± 30

164 ± 30

n.a.

Mean formula intake at 12 weeks (ml/kg bw)

134 ± 26

134 ± 21

n.a.

  1. §Participants who have completed the intervention period
  2. m male, f female, SD standard deviation, bw body weight, HbPA+ group participants receiving formula with high beta-PA and GOS supplement, control group participants receiving standard infant formula, BF group participants predominantly breast-fed, n.a. not applicable
  3. *There was significant difference in proportion of parents with higher education level between feeding groups (p value .014); **difference in mean length gain after 12-week intervention was significantly lower in breast-fed infants compared to infants in control formula group