Growth and plasma amino acid concentrations in term infants fed either whey-predominant formula or human milk.

We found no significant differences in mean growth measurements or mean plasma amino acid concentrations in 14 healthy full-term infants fed a whey-predominant cow milk formula and 15 healthy full-term infants who were breast-fed. Plasma taurine concentrations did not differ despite a tenfold higher level of taurine in human milk versus that in the formula. Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured one hour after feeding when the infants were 3 days and 2, 8, and 16 weeks of age. Weight, length, head circumference, crown-rump length, and skinfold thickness were measured at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 1, 2, 4, and 6 months of age. This study indicates that a whey-predominant cow milk formula compares favorably with human milk as a primary feeding for full-term infants.