Infant cognitive development relies on early infant nutrition
Infancy is a critical period of cognitive development that gives infants the capability to learn all the new skills they need. The right nutrition to support this rapid development is of great importance.
Several studies have investigated the correlation between early infant nutrition (breastmilk or infant formula) and infant cognitive development. These studies show that breastfeeding has a consistent, small but significant, positive influence on cognitive function compared to formula feeding1-4.
Continuing research in the human milk field shows indications on the beneficial effects of specific milk components for cognitive development including sialic acid, gangliosides and sphingomyelin5. Despite their potential benefits for infant nutrition, they are present in low concentrations in standard infant formulas compared to human milk.
At Arla Food Ingredients, we have developed products to make these milk components accessible in infant formula. Lacprodan® MFGM-10 has a unique protein and lipid profile including compounds such as lactoferrin, IgG, sialic acid, phospholipids and gangliosides.
In two clinical studies infants fed a formula supplemented with Lacprodan® MFGM-10 showed improved cognitive scores among 1-year-old formula-fed infants compared to those fed a standard formula 6,7. In one follow-up study, infants fed formula supplemented with Lacprodan® MFGM-10 for one year still demonstrated improved cognitive scores as compared to infants fed standard formula at 5.5 years of age8.
References:
1. Anderson et al 1999, Am J Clin Nutr. 70(4):525-35
2. Kramer 2008, Arch Gen Psychiatry, 65(5):578-584
3. Yang et al 2018, PLoS Med. 20;15(4):e1002554
4. Krol and Grossmann 2018, Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz, 61(8): 977-985
5. Brink and Lönnerdal 2020, J Nutr Biochem 85:108465
6. Li et al 2019, J Pediatr., 215;24-31.e8
7. Timby et al 2014, Am J Clin Nutr. 99:860 – 8
8. Colombo et al 2023, J Pediatr. 261:113483
