In Brief: Nucleotide-supplemented infant formula
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Nucleotide-supplemented infant formula: Significantly increases infants' antibody production in response to Haemophilus influenzae type b and diphtheria challenges compared to a non-supplemented formula control group, Larry Pickering, MD, Center for Pediatric Research, Norfolk, Va., et al., report in the February issue of Pediatrics. Iron-fortified/milk-based formula, the same formula fortified with nucleotides, or human milk were given to 311 infants for 12 months, while researchers measured at six, seven and 12 months the infants' production of antibodies in response to a standard routine of immunization shots. Although nucleotides are in all infant formulas, Ross Labs' Improved Similac, which was used in the study, is the only formula sold in the U.S. with a nucleotide content equivalent to breast milk. The Abbott subsidiary funded the study...