Closer to the Gold Standard: An Appraisal of Formulae Available in Italy for Use in Formula-fed Infants

Abstract

Infant formulae are the only alternatives to breast milk for infants who are unable to continue breastfeeding through the first year of life. They aim to provide formula-fed infants with the same structural and functional benefits observed in breastfed infants. To achieve this, bioactive nutrients have been added to infant formulae in recent years: long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids for neurodevelopment; probiotics and prebiotics for local gastrointestinal defence; and nucleotides for promoting the immune response. Changes in protein quantity and quality allow infant formulae to achieve a balance between providing the correct plasma amino acid profile and reducing the protein intake, which could prevent obesity in later life. Hydrolysed proteins may help prevent atopic disorders. Many short-term trials have been published but long-term follow-up data are needed in infants who have been fed the newer infant formulae, to fully understand the role of bioactive nutrients.