COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF BREAST MILK, COW MILK, AND NESTLÉ NAN PROFORMULA ON ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS, SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS, AND URINARY MINERAL EXCRETION IN INFANTS

Abstract

Infant feeding practices significantly influence growth and mineral metabolism during early life. This study compared the effects of breast milk, cow milk, and Nestlé NAN Pro formula on anthropometric measurements, serum biochemical parameters, and urinary mineral excretion among infants aged 6–12 months. A total of 90 healthy infants were equally divided into three feeding groups. Breastfed infants showed significantly higher body weight (8.6 ± 0.17 kg), body length (72.3 ± 0.64 cm), and head circumference (45.1 ± 0.21 cm) compared with infants receiving cow milk (p < 0.05). Serum calcium (9.7 ± 0.12 mg/dL), magnesium (2.31 ± 0.06 mg/dL), and vitamin D levels (32.6 ± 1.33 ng/mL) were significantly higher in the breast milk group, whereas serum phosphorus (6.3 ± 0.12 mg/dL) and alkaline phosphatase (292.6 ± 7.3 IU/L) were elevated in the cow milk group (p < 0.05). Similarly, urinary calcium (5.9 ± 0.32 mg/dL), urinary phosphorus (16.7 ± 0.51 mg/dL), and calcium/creatinine ratio (0.31 ± 0.04) were significantly greater among infants fed cow milk. In contrast, breastfed infants demonstrated comparatively lower urinary mineral excretion and a more favorable urinary pH. This study concluded that breastfeeding was associated with better growth and balanced mineral metabolism, while Nestlé NAN Pro formula showed outcomes closer to breast milk. Cow milk feeding during infancy was linked with altered biochemical and urinary mineral profiles. These findings support breastfeeding as the preferred feeding practice during the first year of life.