Researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine have found baby formula for premature infants which was made with corn syrup solids led to higher rates of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), compared with formula using lactose. In a study published in the journal Microbiome, the team fed piglets with the two formulas and analysed the metabolite profiles found in the animals' gut and blood. The researchers discovered that babies who were given formula containing cornstarch solids, or "infant formula", had significantly lower levels of endotoxin than those whose mothers used lactose solids. The team said the metabolite profile could help early diagnosis of the disease, which can be fatal.
Researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine have found baby formula for premature infants which was made with corn syrup solids led to higher rates of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), compared with formula using lactose. In a study published in the journal Microbiome, the team fed piglets with the two formulas and analysed the metabolite profiles found in the animals' gut and blood. The results showed 44% of piglets fed corn syrup-based formula had symptoms of NEC, compared with 14% of those drinking lactose. The team said the metabolite profile could help early diagnosis of the disease, which can be fatal.