SKIM MILK IN INFANT FEEDING

Abstract

Infants (94) were enrolled at 112 days of age in a study of food intake and growth and 88 were considered to have completed satisfactorily the planned 56 days of observation. The infants lived at home. Feedings consisted of a commercially available formula (Similac, 67 kcal/100 ml) or a slightly modified skim milk (Formula 305, 36 kcal/100 ml) and commercially prepared strained foods. Energy intake and gain in weight were significantly greater by infants fed Similac than by those fed Formula 305. Gain in length was nearly identical in the 2 feeding groups. During the 56 days of observation, triceps and subscapular skin-fold thicknesses changed little in infants fed Similac but decreased approximately 25% in infants fed Formula 305. Body fat stores of infants fed Formula 305 were probably mobilized to permit growth of fat-free tissue.