Effect of locust bean gum in anti-regurgitant milk on the regurgitation in uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of anti-regurgitant milk (AR milk) with reduced concentration of locust bean gum (LBG) compared with the usual commercially available concentration of this thickener. Methods Thirty infants with daily regurgitation but no other medical problems were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Infants in group A (n = 16) were fed either HL-450, an AR milk thickened with a commonly used concentration of LBG (0.45 g/100 mL) or control milk (HL-00; no LBG) in a crossover manner for periods of 1 week. The order of milk was randomly chosen for each subject. Infants in group B (n = 14) were fed HL-350, an AR milk with a reduced LBG concentration (0.35 g/100 mL), or HL-00 in the same crossover fashion. The number of episodes of regurgitation, feeding time, and body weight gain were recorded. Three infants in group B did not complete the protocol and were excluded. Results Both AR formulas decreased the number of regurgitation episodes by approximately 50% compared with control. Five mothers who gave their infants HL-450 and no mothers who fed their children HL-350 reported that the infants had difficulty sucking the formula through the nipple. Thirteen (81.3%) mothers who used HL-450 and 9 (81.8%) mothers who used HL-350 preferred the AR milk to the control milk. Conclusions An AR milk with reduced LBG was as effective in reducing regurgitation as one with the usually available concentration of LBG.