Effect of rice cereal feedings on bone mineralization and calcium homeostasis in cow milk formula fed infants.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a prospective randomized, single-blinded clinical trial to test the hypothesis that intake of formula plus cereals between the ages of 16 and 26 weeks postnatally (as compared to formula alone) would lead to lower bone mineral content (BMC), higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration, lower serum calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and osteocalcin (OC); and increased continuous night sleep.

METHODS

At 16 weeks postnatally, 41 healthy, term infants were randomized to formula alone or formula and cereal.

RESULTS

We found no significant differences in growth or sleep pattern, nor in BMC between groups. Serum PTH concentration was significantly increased in the cereal group at 26 weeks.

CONCLUSION

We speculate that the increase in PTH is due to relative Ca deficiency or is responsive to increased phosphate load in the cereal group.