Gastric Emptying and Intragastric Behavior of Breast Milk and Infant Formula

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to compare gastric emptying and intragastric behavior between breast milk and infant formula in vivo using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods In this randomized crossover study lactating mothers (n = 16) underwent gastric MRI scans before and after consumption of 200 mL of infant formula or their own breast milk. MRI scans were performed after an overnight fast (baseline) and following ingestion. The primary outcomes were gastric volume and gastric layer volume over time. In addition, hunger, fullness, bloating and nausea were verbally rated at all time points on a scale from 0 to 100. Results Gastric emptying half time was 81.0 ± 21.6 min for infant formula and 75.9 ± 38.1 min for breast milk (p = 0.68). However, within a subgroup with similar initial gastric volume (< 20 mL difference), breast milk emptied faster than infant formula (p = 0.017). Top layer volume was significantly greater for infant formula than for breast milk (17 ± 2.3 mL versus 10 ± 2.5 mL, p = 0.005). This effect was most pronounced during the first 20 min. Subjective ratings did not differ between the two treatments. Conclusions Breast milk emptied faster than infant formula, when taking initial gastric volume into account, and infant formula showed a significantly larger top layer volume in the first 20 min after ingestion. MRI in adults may find application in studies assessing gastric behavior of infant formula. Further elucidation of the processes underlying top layer differences between breast milk and infant formula and their implications for digestion and absorption is warranted. Funding Sources Sources of support: FrieslandCampina.