The prophylactic effect of bovine colostrum on respiratory infection and diarrhea in formula-fed infants: a randomized trial

Abstract Background It has been reported that regular consumption of bovine colostrum has a protective role for the gastrointestinal immunity of infants. However, not enough investigation has explored the prophylactic effect of bovine colostrum on the morbidity of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in formula-fed infants. The purpose of the study is to explore the prophylactic effect of BC on morbidity of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in formula-fed infants.Methods A total of 192 term infants aged 6 to 9 months, who were previously fully formula-fed after birth, were randomly recruited into this multi-centric, randomized, blank-controlled, opened, and post-marketing intervention study. Infants in the intervention group (IG) were given a commercially available bovine colostrum sachet once a day for 3 months while infants in the control group (CG) were not given the bovine colostrum sachet. The morbidity and duration of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections and the fecal IgA, calprotectin, and total fatty acid were monitored during the intervention.Result There was a lower incidence of loose stool [IG/CG rate ratio: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.09-0.67], increased stool frequency (0.30, 0.17-0.78), loss of appetite (0.28, 0.11-0.47), sneezing (0.22,0.07-0.69), upper respiratory infection (0.55, 0.32-0.88), and diarrhea (0.25, 0.09-0.61) and shorter duration of diarrhea for infants in IG than those in CG.Conclusion Bovine colostrum intervention for 3 months showed a potential prophylactic effect on respiratory infection and diarrhea in formula-fed infants. The present data may be applicable to other infants of similar socioeconomic status.