MESK Study
Gastrointestinal symptoms in formula-fed infants during the first year of life in Saudi Arabia; medical record study comparing goat milk- and cow’s milk-based infant formulas
This study confirms that GI discomfort symptoms in formula-fed infants are common during the first months of life, with colic and gas/bloating most often reported in medical records. The number of reported GI discomfort symptoms during the first year was significantly lower in infants fed GMF compared to infants fed CMF.
Methods
The results from seven pediatricians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were included in the analysis of this retrospective observational medical record-based study. Included infants consumed GMF or CMF from birth or after an initial period of breastfeeding. Descriptive statistics were used to report the occurrence of GI symptoms. To compare GMF and CMF the cumulative number of GI symptoms during the first 3, 6, 9, 12 months was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model.
Conclusion
This study confirms that GI discomfort symptoms in formula-fed infants are common during the first year of life, with colic and gas/bloating most often reported in medical records. The number of reported GI discomfort symptoms during the first year of life was significantly lower in infants fed GMF compared to infants fed CMF.