TABLE 1.
Description of included studies evaluating outcomes in infants fed formulas containing palm oil or palm olein and SN2 palmitate
| Reference, citation | Country, sponsorship | Study design,1 clinical trial identifier (if applicable) | Objective | Formula fat blend, formula code2 | Included human milk group reported to serve as a reference (Y/N) | Characteristics of eligible infants included in the study (birth demographics; age) | N, total recruited; total completed, if stated | Duration of intervention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alarcon et al., 2002 (58) | 17 countries, Abbott | Multicenter, prospective, phase IV, open-label, international, observational | To test the hypothesis that the GI tolerance of a new infant formula (Similac Advance) equals or exceeds the tolerance of other milk-based formulas (Enfalac, S-26) and compare the tolerance of this new formula to human milk | Enfalac: 45% palm olein, 20% coconut oil, 20% soy oil, 15% sunflower oil (POL); S-26: Varies by country: Taiwan: oleo, coconut oil, soy oil, safflower oil; Mexico: soy oil, coconut oil (VO-1); New infant formula (Similac Advance): 42% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 28% soy oil (VO-2); Other infant formula: includes Enfalac and S-26; (POL/VO-1); HM + POL; HM + VO-1; HM + VO-2; HM + POL/VO-1; HM | N | 38–42 weeks gestation; ≥2500 g at birth; 28-98 days of age at enrollment | N = 7673; 6999 | 2 weeks |
| Bar-Yoseph et al., 2016 (48) | China (4 different cities), Enzymotec Ltd | Multicenter, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT01373541) | To assess the effects of sn-2 palmitate formulas on lipid excretion | Sn-2 palmitate formula: 43% of PA at sn-2 position; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN23 (43%) + GO]; Control: 13% of PA at sn-2 position; vegetable oil blend [VO3 (13%) + GO] | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; weight appropriate for gestational age; <14 days of age at inclusion | N = 171; 159 | 24 weeks |
| Beghin et al., 2019 (38) | France (private maternities), Nestlé | Multicenter, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT02332967) | To evaluate whether weight gain of infants fed formula enriched with sn-2 palmitate during the first 4 months of life was noninferior to that of infants receiving a control formula, and then to evaluate whether stools were softer in these enriched formulas vs. control. Growth parameters, body composition, bone mineral content, digestive tolerance, and safety were also evaluated | Control formula: 16% of PA at sn-2 position; fat blend not stated [SN2 (16%)]; Experimental formula 1: 43% of PA at sn-2 position; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN2 (43%)]; Experimental formula 2: 51% of PA at sn-2; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN2 (51%)] | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; 2500–4500 g at birth; 1–7 days of age at enrollment | N = 488; 379 | 6 months |
| Borschel et al., 2014 (36) | USA, Abbott | Controlled, randomized, blinded (NCT01380886) | To examine the growth of healthy terms infants fed a new partially hydrolyzed whey-based formula or a commercially available partially hydrolyzed whey-based formula during the first 4 months of life | Experimental formula: 41% high oleic safflower oil, 27% coconut oil, 29% soy oil, 1.5% mono- and diglycerides (VO3 + GO/HP); Control formula: 46% palm olein, 26% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 6% high oleic safflower oil or high oleic sunflower oil (POL3 + GO/HP) | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; ≥2500 g at birth; 0–8 days of age at enrollment | N = 209; 177 | 119 days |
| Carnielli et al., 1996 (49) | The Netherlands, Nutricia Research | Controlled, randomized, blinded | To investigate the effect of the structural position of palmitic acid on the intestinal absorption of fat and calcium in infants | Regular formula: 13% of PA at sn-2 position; fat blend not stated [SN2 (13%)]; Formula intermediate: 39% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN2 (39%)]; Formula beta: 66% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN2 (66%)] | N/A | average of 39.8 ± 1.1 to 39.9 ± 1.1 weeks gestation; average of 3500 ± 400g to 3600 ± 500g at birth; average of 30.1 ± 2.2 to 34.2 ± 2.0 days of age at start of trial | N = 27 | 5 weeks |
| Civardi et al., 2017 (62) | Italy, Heinz Italia S.p.A | Controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT01197365) | To evaluate the safety and growth ability of an infant formula enriched by functional ingredients (galacto-oligosaccharides, sn-2-palmitate, acidified milk) vs. a standard formula milk | Enriched formula: 39% of PA at sn-2 position; soya oil, structured vegetable fat [SN2 (39%) + GO]; Standard formula: vegetable oils including soy oil (VO) | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; birth weight between 10th and 90th percentile according to WHO growth standard; average of 11.1 ± 5.8 to 11.1 ± 6.4 days of age at start of trial | N = 117; 110 | 135 ± 5 days |
| Fewtrell et al., 2013 (57) | United Kingdom, Nutricia Research | Controlled, randomized, double-blind | To investigate whether the type of infant feeding (breast feeding and standard fat blend vs. high sn-2 fat blend) influences later bone mass (10 years) | Control formula: 12% of PA at sn-2 position; fat blend not stated [SN2 (12%)]; High sn-2 formula: 50% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN2 (50%)]; HM | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; birth weight > 5th percentile; average of 6.1 ± 1.9 to 70 ± 5 days of age at enrollment | N = 323; 91 | 12 weeks |
| Innis et al., 1997 (44) | Canada & United States, Mead Johnson | Multicenter, controlled, randomized | To determine the effect of infant formula containing differing amounts of LA and LNA with no ARA or DHA (1 containing palm olein, high oleic sunflower oil, coconut and soy oil vs. coconut and soy oil alone) on the blood lipid fatty acids, preferential looking acuity, and growth of healthy term gestation infants with reference to normal breast-fed infants | Formula 1: palm olein, high oleic sunflower oil, coconut oil, soy oil (POL); Formula 2: coconut oil, soy oil (VO); HM | Y | 37–41 weeks gestation; 2500–4500 g at birth; <14 days of age at enrollment | N = 238; 191 | 90 days |
| Innis et al., 1994 (46) | Canada, Mead Johnson | Controlled | To determine whether sn-2 monoacylglycerol containing palmitate is absorbed from human milk by comparing the composition of total and sn-2 position fatty acids in plasma lipids between breast-fed infants and infants fed formula containing similar amounts of palmitate to milk but predominantly esterified to the formula fat sn-1,3 positions | Formula: 4.8% of PA at sn-2 position; fat blend not stated [SN2 (4.8%)]; HM (54.2%) | N | >37 weeks gestation; appropriate weight for gestational age; enrolled by 14 days of age | N = 35 | 3 months |
| Innis & Nelson, 2013 (47) | Canada, CIHR | Controlled, randomized | To gain insight into whether unique aspects of milk TAG palmitate are likely to impact fatty acid metabolism in young infants | Structured-TAG formula: 29.1% of PA at sn-2 position; fat blend not stated [SN2 (29.1%)]; PO-formula: 5% of PA at sn-2 position; POL-based [POL (5%)]; HM | N | 37–42 weeks gestation; 2500–4500 g at birth; <72 hours old at enrollment | N = 39 | 120 days |
| Kennedy et al., 1999 (42) | United Kingdom, Nutricia Research | Controlled, randomized, double-blind | To test the hypothesis that increasing the proportion of sn-2 palmitate in formula for term infants would result in greater skeletal mineral deposition and reduced stool hardness | High sn-2 formula: 50% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN2 (50%) +CS]; Control formula:12% of PA at sn-2 position; blend of 4 VOs [VO (12%) + CS]; HM | Y | ≥37 weeks; average of 3480 ± 390 g to 3570 ± 420 g at birth; within first 8 days of age at enrollment | N = 323 | 12 weeks |
| Koo et al., 2003 (50) | Canada & United States, Abbott | Controlled, randomized, double-blind | To determine whether POL as used in commercially available infant formulas would result in decreased bone mineralization compared to formula without POL | Milk-based formula with POL: 45% palm olein, 20% coconut oil, 20% soy oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL); Milk-based formula without POL: 40% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 30% soy oil (VO) | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; average of 3329 ± 42 to 3372 ± 42 g at birth; <2 weeks of age at enrollment | N = 128; 102 | 6 months |
| Leite et al., 2013 (51) | Brazil, Abbott | Crossover, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT00941564) | To assess the comparative calcium and fat metabolic balance and GI tolerance (including stool consistency) in healthy term infants fed 2 commercially available milk-based powder formulas in Brazil | Nestle NAN PRO 1: 44% palm olein, 21.7% palm kernel oil, 18.5% canola oil (POL3); Similac Advance: 41.4% high oleic sunflower oil, 29.6% coconut oil, 27.6% soy oil (VO3) | N/A | Average of 39.5 ± 1.1 to 39.8 ± 1.2 weeks gestation; 3321 ± 330 to 3333 ± 490 g at birth; 84–156 ± 3 days of age at enrollment | N = 33; 14-day tolerance phase: 32; 4-day metabolic phase: 17 | 14-day tolerance phase, 4-day metabolic phase |
| Litmanovitz et al., 2013 (39) | Israel | Longitudinal, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT00874068) | To assess the short-term effect of consuming high sn-2 palmitate formula with regular infant formula, comprising low beta-palmitate on bone strength of term newborns and on anthropometrics | High beta-palmitate formula: 43% of PA at sn-2 position; palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, structured palm oil; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN23 (43%)]; Low beta-palmitate formula: 14% of PA at sn-2 position; palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, palm oil [PO3 (14%)]; HM | Y | >37 weeks gestation; appropriate for gestational age; <14 days of age at enrollment | N = 83; 66 | 12 weeks |
| Litmanovitz et al., 2014 (40) | Israel | Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT00874068) | To compare the effects of high sn-2 palmitate and low sn-2 palmitate formulas on infant crying patterns and stool characteristics | High beta-palmitate formula: 44% of PA at sn-2 position; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN23 (44%)]; Regular formula (low beta-palmitate): 14% of PA at sn-2 position [PO3 (14%)]; HM | Y | Average of 39.1 ± 0.2 to 39.7 ± 0.2 weeks gestation; weight appropriate for gestational age; enrolled in first 2 weeks of life | N = 83; 63 | 12 weeks |
| Lloyd et al., 1999 (52) PI | United States, Abbott | Controlled, randomized | To compare the tolerance of 2 commercially available powder infant formulas that differ in composition | Formula A: 42% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 28% soy oil (VO); Formula B: 45% palm olein, 20% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL) | N/A | Average of 39.4 ± 0.2 to 39.9 ± 0.2 weeks gestation; 4–188 days of age at start of trial | N = 82; 70 | 3-day breastfeeding phase, 30 ± 5 to 32 ± 6-day weaning phase, 14-day formula feeding phase |
| Lloyd et al., 1999 (52) PII | United States, Abbott | Controlled, randomized | To compare the tolerance of 2 commercially available powder infant formulas that differ in composition | Formula A: 42% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 28% soy oil (VO); Formula B: 45% palm olein, 20% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL) | N/A | Average of 39.3 ± 0.2 to 39.6 ± 0.2 weeks gestation; 12–17 days of age at start of trail | N = 87; 65 | 7-day standard formula feeding phase, 2-week exclusive formula feeding phase |
| Lopez-Lopez et al., 2001 (60) | Spain, Fundacio Bosch i Gimpera & Laboratories Ordesa & CeRTA | Controlled, randomized, blinded | To investigate the fecal losses of fatty acids, calcium, and magnesium in full-term infants fed with human milk and with 2 formulas with different proportions of palmitic acid at the sn-2 position | Formula β: 44.5% of PA at sn-2 position; 80% Betapol, 10% egg phospholipids, 10% milk fat; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN23 (44.5%)]; Formula α: 19% of PA at sn-2 position; 60% vegetable oils, 10% egg phospholipids, 30% milk fat [VO3 (19%)]; HM | N | Average of 39.33 ± 0.74 to 39.58 ± 0.81 weeks gestation; average of 3200 ± 410 to 3360 ± 520 g at birth; enrolled at birth | N = 36 | 2 months |
| Manios et al., 2020 (54) PI | Netherlands. FrieslandCampina Nederland B.V. | Crossover, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind (NTR6872) | To evaluate the excretion of PA and PA soaps in stools of healthy term infants | 100% vegetable fat formula: 10.1% of PA at sn-2 position [VO3 (10.1%) + GO)]; 50% bovine milk-based formula: 39% of PA at sn-2 position; 50% bovine milk fat, 50% vegetable fat [SN23 (39%) + GO] | N/A | ≥37 weeks gestation, weight appropriate for gestational age; 9th to 14th week of age at screening | N = 17; 16 | 2 weeks |
| Manios et al., 2020 (54) PII | Netherlands. FrieslandCampina Nederland B.V. | Crossover, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind (NTR6872) | To evaluate the excretion of PA and PA soaps in stools of healthy term infants | 100% vegetable fat formula: 10.1% of PA at sn-2 position [VO3 (10.1%) + GO]; 20% bovine milk-based formula: 19.7% of PA at sn-2; 20% bovine milk fat, 80% vegetable fat [SN23 (19.7%) + GO] | N/A | ≥37 weeks gestation, weight appropriate for gestational age; 9th to 14th week of age at screening | N = 18; 17 | 2 weeks |
| Nelson et al., 1996 (35) | United States, Ross Laboratories | Crossover, controlled, randomized | To determine fat absorption by normal infants fed formula containing a blend of vegetable oils | Formula PO/S: 53% palm olein, 47% soy oil (POL); Formula S/C (Similac with iron): 60% soy oil, 40% coconut oil (VO) | N/A | 8 infants: ≥37 weeks gestation, 3 infants: <37 weeks gestation; 8 infants: >2500g at birth; 3 infants: 1760-2410g at birth; 8 infants: 27–137 days of age at the time of the balance studies, 3 infants: 140–161 days of age at the time of the balance studies | N = 11 (3 preterm) | ≥7-day feeding phase, 3- to 4-day metabolic balance phase |
| Nelson et al., 1998 (34) | United States, Abbott | Crossover, controlled, randomized | To test the hypothesis that the inclusion of palm olein (45% of the fat) in the fat blend of a milk-based infant formula decreases the absorption of fat and calcium | Formula PO (Enfamil): 45% palm olein, 20% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL); Formula HOS (Similac with iron): 42% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 28% soy oil (VO) | N/A | 39–40 weeks gestation (1 infant 37 weeks, and 1 infant 34 weeks); 3545–4850 g at birth (1 infant 2665 g and 1 infant 2975 g); 22–192 days of age at the start of the first study | N = 10 (1 preterm) | 3-day feeding phase, 3-night, 4-day metabolic balance phase |
| Nelson & Innis, 1999 (45) | Canada, Ross Laboratories | Controlled, randomized | To determine whether the position of palmitate in human milk and infant formula TAG influences the position of fatty acids in postprandial plasma chylomicron TAG | Synthesized triacylglycerol formula: 30% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN2 (30%)]; Standard formula: 5% of PA at sn-2 position, 48% palm olein, 26% soybean oil, 14% high oleic acid sunflower oil, 12% coconut oil [POL (5%)]; HM (57%) | N | 37–42 weeks gestation; 2500–4500 g at birth; <72 hours old at enrollment | N = 87; 58 | 120 days |
| Nomayo et al., 2020 (41) | Germany, Humana GmbH/DMK Baby | Controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT01603719) | To investigate whether the addition of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in combination with the higher amounts of beta-palmitate from cow's milk fat in infant formula positively affects gut microbiota and the incidence of infections in formula-fed infants | Experimental formula: 20–25% of PA at sn-2 position; cows milk fat, vegetable oil, fish oil; bovine milk fat [SN2 (20%–25%) + GO]; Control formula: <10% PA at sn-2 position; VO (<10%); HM | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; birth weight 10th to 90th percentile; within first 10 days of life at enrollment | N = 128; 75 | 12 weeks |
| Nowacki et al., 2014 (59) | Taiwan (4 hospitals), Nestlé | Multicenter, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT02031003) | To evaluate the effects of feeding infant formulas containing either high sn-2 palmitate or high sn-2 palmitate with the addition of 3 g/L of oligo-fructose compared to a control formula | Sn-2 formula: 40% of PA at sn-2 position; 60% control vegetable oil, 40% high sn-2 palmitate vegetable oil; structured vegetable fat [SN23 (40%)]; Sn-2 + OF formula: 40% of PA at sn-2 position; 60% control vegetable oil, 40% high sn-2 vegetable oil; structured vegetable oil [SN23 (40%) + FO]; Control formula: 12.6% PA at sn-2 position; 100% vegetable fat blend [VO3 (12.6%)]; HM | Y | 37–42 weeks gestation; 25–45 days of age at enrollment | N = 220; 195 | 4 weeks |
| Ostrom et al., 2002 (56) PI | United States, Abbott | Crossover, controlled, randomized, blinded | To compare fat and calcium absorption in healthy infants fed commercially available formula with primarily added calcium salts, casein hydrolysate, and soy protein, with or without PO | Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Protein Hydrolysate Formula with Iron: 45% palm olein, 20% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL + HP/CS); Alimentum Protein Hydrolysate Formula with Iron: 50% medium chain triacylglyceride oil, 40% safflower oil, 10% soy oil (VO + CS) | N/A | ≥37 weeks gestation; ≥2500 g at birth; average of 75–84 days of age at beginning of first crossover period | N = 16; 10 | 7-day feeding phase, 3-day balance phase |
| Ostrom et al., 2002 (56) PII | United States, Abbott | Crossover, controlled, randomized, blinded | To compare fat and calcium absorption in healthy infants fed commercially available formula with primarily added calcium salts, casein hydrolysate, and soy protein, with or without PO | ProSobee Soy Protein Formula with Iron: 45% palm olein, 20% soy oil, 20% coconut oil, 15% high oleic sunflower oil (POL + HP/CS); Isomil Soy Protein Formula with Iron: 42% high oleic safflower oil, 30% coconut oil, 28% soy oil (VO + CS) | N/A | ≥37 weeks gestation; ≥2500 g at birth; average of 89 days of age at beginning of first crossover period | N = 19; 13 | 7-day feeding phase, 3-day balance phase |
| Schmelzle et al., 2003 (37) | Germany, Numico | Controlled, randomized, double-blind | To evaluate the nutritional efficacy and bifidogenic characteristics of a new infant formula containing partially hydrolyzed whey protein, modified vegetable oil with a high sn-2 palmitate content, prebiotic oligosaccharides, and starch | New infant formula: 41% of PA at sn-2 position; source of sn-2 not stated [SN2 (41%) + GO/FO/HP]; Standard formula: palm oil based (PO) | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; weight between 10th and 9th percentiles; <2 weeks old at randomization | N = 154; 102 | 12 weeks |
| Sheng et al., 2020 (55) | China, FrieslandCampina | Cross-sectional, observational | To identify differences in stool characteristics and gut comfort parameters between 4 commercially available infant formulas in China | Milk-fat based formula: 19.9% of PA at sn-2 position; bovine milk fat and structured vegetable oils [SN2 (19.9%) + PF]; Structured vegetable fat blend formula 1: 43.5% of PA at sn-2 position; structured vegetable fat [PO (43.5%) +PF]; Palm oil-free vegetable fat blend-based formula: 10.2% of PA at sn-2 position; palm-oil free fat blend [VO (10.2%) + PF]; Structured vegetable fat blend-based formula: 40.1% of PA at sn-2 position; structured vegetable fat [PO (40.1%) + PF] | N/A | 37–42 weeks gestation; 2500–4000 g at birth; 0–4 months of age at enrollment | N = 433; 409 | 7 days |
| de Souza et al., 2017 (53) | Brazil, Abbott | Crossover, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT00941564) | To assess the comparative individual balance of fatty acids and associate their eventual interference with calcium absorption by normal term infants fed formulas containing distinct blends of fats | Nestle NAN PRO 1: 44% palm oil, 21.7% palm kernel oil, 18.5% canola oi (PO3); Similac Advance: 41.4% high oleic sunflower oil, 29.6% coconut oil, 27.6% soy oil (VO3) | N/A | Average of 39.5 ± 1.1 to 39.8 ± 1.2 weeks gestation; average of 3321 ± 330g to 3333 ± 490g at birth; 68-159 ± 3 days of age at enrollment | N = 33; tolerance phase: 32; metabolic balance phase: 17 | 14-day tolerance phase, 4-day metabolic phase |
| Wu et al., 2021 (63) | China, formulas provided by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd | Controlled, cluster randomized (ChiCTR1800014479) | To assess the hypothesized effect of increasing the amount of PA esterified in the sn-2 position in infant formula on neurodevelopment in early life, and to explore the association of this effect with an alteration in the gut bifidobacteria in infants receiving a control formula vs. an elevated level of sn-2 palmitate | Sn-2 palmitate formula: 46.3% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN23 (46.3%) + GO]; Control formula: 10.3% of PA at sn-2 position; standard vegetable oil blend [VO3 (10.3%) + GO]; HM | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; 2500–4500 g at birth; 7–14 days of age at enrollment | N = 199; 174 | 24 weeks |
| Yao et al., 2014 (61) | The Philippines, Wyeth Nutrition (Nestlé) | Controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT01861600) | To evaluate the effects of a term infant formula containing high sn-2 palmitate or an identical formula containing supplemented oligo-fructose at 2 concentrations (3 or 5 g/L) on stool composition, stool characteristics, and fecal bifidobacteria | High sn-2 palmitate formula: 35.9% of PA at sn-2 position; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN23 (35.9%)]; High sn-2 palmitate formula supplemented with 3 g/L of oligofructose: 36.6% of PA at sn-2 position; 60% vegetable fat blend, 40% Betapol; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN23 (36.6%) + FO]; High sn-2 palmitate formula supplemented with 5 g/L of oligofructose: 36.9% of PA at sn-2 position; 60% vegetable fat blend, 40% Betapol; Betapol, Loders Croklaan [SN23 (36.9%) + FO]; Control: 100% vegetable oil blend [VO3 (11.7%)]; HM | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; weight-for-age ≥fifth percentile according to Filipino reference standards; 7–14 days of age at enrollment | N = 375; 369 | 8 weeks |
| Yaron et al., 2013 (43) | Israel, Enzymotec Ltd | 2-center, controlled, randomized, double-blind (NCT01116115) | To assess whether high sn-2 palmitate content in infant formulas affects the intestinal flora | High β-palmitate formula: 44% of PA at the sn-2 position; palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, structured palm oil; InFat, Advanced Lipids [SN23 (44%)]; Low β-palmitate formula: 14% of PA at sn-2 position; palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, unmodified palm oil [PO3 (14%)]; HM | Y | ≥37 weeks gestation; appropriate for gestational age; <7 days of age at inclusion | N = 36; 30 | 6 weeks |
% Refers to the percentage of palmitic acid esterified at the sn-2 position in formula; 20:4n-6 indicates AA; 18:2n-6 indicates LA; and 18:3n-3 indicates LNA. Abbreviations: AA, arachidonic acid; ARA, arachidonic acid; CeRTA, Centre de Referència en Tecnologia dels Aliments; CF, control formula; CIHR, Canadian Institutes of Health Research; CS, calcium salts; FO, fructo-oligosaccharides; GI, gastrointestinal; GO, galacto-oligosaccharides; HM, human milk; HP, hydrolyzed protein; LA, linoleic acid; LBP, low beta-palmitate formula; LNA, linolenic acid; MF, milk-based formula; N/A, not available; NF, new infant formula; OF, other infant formula; PA, palmitic acid; PF, prebiotic fiber; PI, part one; PII, part two; PO, palm oil; POL, palm olein; sn, stereospecific numbered; SN2, stereospecific numbered–2 palmitate; TAG, triacylglyceride; VO, vegetable oil; VO-1, S-26; VO-2, Similac Advance; VF, vegetable fat.
1
Reported study design is based on formula groups only.
2
Formula code in the present review: POL, PO, VO, SN2.
3
Indicates the addition of long-chain PUFAs, 22:6n-3 (DHA) and 20:4n-6 (ARA) if reported by authors.