J Korean Soc Pediatr Endocrinol.  2005 Dec;10(2):161-168.

Effect of Dietary sn-2 Position Palmitic Acid on Growth and Bone Metabolism in Formula-fed Infants

• Kim EY
• Moon KR

Abstract

PURPOSE
Palmitic acid in infant formulas has been shown to lower calcium and fat absorption because of its structural difference from human milk. Some studies reported the inclusion of palm and palm olein oil in infant formula led to lower bone mineralization. We aimed to determine whether the sn-2 position palmitic acid fortified infant formula influences growth and skeletal development, by comparing bone mineral accretion and bone markers in formula-fed infants to those in breast-fed ones.
METHODS
We determined anthropometrics and feeding intake in three groups of full term newborn infants fed different diets at 6 and 12 weeks after birth; Group A (n=15) was fed human milk, Group B (n=15) was fed formula alpha (31% sn-2 palmitic acid as a mainly plant source), Group C (n=15) was fed formula beta (31% sn-2 palmitic acid as a mainly animal source). Total body bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at 12 weeks of age using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. We measured bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP), C-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen (CICP) as markers for bone formation, and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (total DPD) as a marker for bone resorption at 6 and 12 weeks.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences between feeding groups in body weight, height, head circumference, and skinfold thickness at 6 and 12 weeks. The concentrations of B-ALP, CICP, and total DPD were not significantly different between feeding groups at 6 weeks. The concentrations of B-ALP and total DPD were not significantly different between feeding groups at 12 weeks. The concentrations of CICP in Group B and C were higher than that of Group A (P<0.05). BMC and BMD in formula-fed infants (Group B and C) were not different from those of breast-fed ones (Group A). BMC and BMD in Group B were higher than that of Group C (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The growth and bone mineralization in infants fed sn-2 position palmitic acid fortified formula were not different in those of breast-fed ones.

Keyword

Newborn infant; Palmitic acid; Growth; Bone mineral density; Bone metabolism markers

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Absorption
Alkaline Phosphatase
Animals
Body Weight
Bone Density
Bone Resorption
Calcification, Physiologic
Calcium
Collagen Type I
Diet
Head
Humans
Infant Formula
Infant*
Infant, Newborn
Metabolism*
Milk, Human
Osteogenesis
Palmitic Acid*
Parturition
Plants
Skinfold Thickness
Alkaline Phosphatase
Calcium
Collagen Type I
Palmitic Acid