Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Pediatr. Mar 9, 2024; 13(1): 88783
Published online Mar 9, 2024. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i1.88783
Gastrointestinal tolerability of organic infant formula compared to traditional ‎infant formula: A systematic review
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Nermin Kamal Saeed, Adel Salah Bediwy, Reem Elbeltagi, Mohamed Basiony Hamza‎
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt
Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Department of Pediatric, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib ‎Medical ‎‎Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
Nermin Kamal Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, ‎Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Manama, Bahrain
Nermin Kamal Saeed, Medical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Busaiteen 15503‎, Muharraq, Bahrain
Adel Salah Bediwy, Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta ‎‎ 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
Adel Salah Bediwy, Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, ‎‎Arabian Gulf University, Dr. ‎Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama‎ 26671, Manama, Bahrain
Reem Elbeltagi, Department of Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain, ‎Busiateen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
Mohamed Basiony Hamza‎, Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta ‎University, Tanta ‎ 31511‎, Algahrbia, Egypt
Author contributions: Al-Biltagi M developed the idea, collected data, and wrote and revised the manuscript; Saeed NK collected the data and revised the manuscript from the laboratory aspect; Elbeltagi R collected the data, wrote the method section and revised the manuscript; Bediwy AS collected the data and revised the manuscript; Hamza MB collected the data and revised the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare no conflict of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Mohammed Al-Beltagi, MBChB, MD, PhD, Academic Editor, Chairman, Professor, Research Scientist, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Al-Bahr Street, The Medical Complex, Tanta ‎31511‎, Alghrabia, Egypt. mbelrem@hotmail.com
Received: October 9, 2023
Peer-review started: October 9, 2023
First decision: December 8, 2023
Revised: December 13, 2023
Accepted: January 4, 2024
Article in press: January 4, 2024
Published online: March 9, 2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Infants' nutrition significantly influences their growth, development, and overall well-being. With the increasing demand for organic infant formula driven by the perception of health benefits and growing awareness of natural feeding options, it is crucial to conduct a comparative analysis of the gastrointestinal tolerability between organic and traditional infant formulas.

AIM

To provide a concise and precise analysis of the gastrointestinal tolerability of organic infant formula compared to traditional infant formula. Due to limited direct comparisons, the review synthesizes available literature on each formula type, presenting insights into their potential effects on infants' digestive health.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted, compiling studies on organic and traditional infant formulas, their compositions, and reported effects on gastrointestinal tolerability. We searched academic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar and specialized ‎nutrition, paediatrics, and infant health journals using relevant keywords till October 1, 2023. ‎

RESULTS

Although specific comparative studies are scarce and formula heterogeneity is a significant limitation, this systematic review provides an in-depth understanding of organic infant formulas' composition and potential benefits. While scientific evidence directly comparing gastrointestinal tolerability is limited, organic formulas strive to use carefully selected organic ingredients to imitate breast milk composition. Potential benefits include improved lipid profiles, higher methionine content, and decreased antibiotic-resistant bacteria levels. Understanding the gastrointestinal tolerability of organic and traditional infant formulas is crucial for parents and healthcare providers to make informed decisions.

CONCLUSION

Despite limitations in direct comparisons, this systematic review provides insights into the composition and potential benefits of organic infant formulas. It emphasizes the need for further research to elucidate their gastrointestinal effects comprehensively.

Keywords: Organic infant formula, Traditional infant formula, Gastrointestinal tolerability, ‎Formula ingredients, Digestive health, Infant nutrition, Organic farming

Core Tip: This systematic review focuses on the growing demand for organic infant formula, highlighting its potential benefits and impact on gastrointestinal health compared to traditional infant formula. Although there are limited direct comparative studies, an analysis of available literature suggests that organic formulas aim to replicate the composition of breast milk, providing improved lipid profiles, higher methionine content, and potentially reducing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To make informed decisions about infant nutrition, it is crucial to understand the digestive effects of these formulas. Therefore, further comprehensive research is needed to elucidate their gastrointestinal implications fully.