Observational studyNutrients2025
Associations of Lactoferrin-Fortified Formula with Infant Growth and Gut Microbiota: A Real-World Observational Study.
Observational study in Nutrients, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Phytotherapeutic potential of Gossypium barbadense L. root as an alternative therapy for colitis: a comprehensive review with network pharmacology insights.Inflammopharmacology · 2026Review
- Gastrodin Ameliorates Blood Pressure by Targeting the PPAR-γ/NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling Axis in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus.Cardiovascular toxicology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
Abstract
BACKGROUND/
objectivesLactoferrin, a key bioactive component in human milk, may bridge functional gaps in infant formula; however, its long-term effects on growth and the gut microbiota in term infants remain underexplored, particularly in real-world settings.
methodsThis real-world evidence (RWE) study assessed the impact of lactoferrin-fortified formula (LF) on infant growth, the gut microbiota, and feeding tolerance compared with control formula (CF) and exclusive breastfeeding (BF). After propensity score matching (PSM) for maternal education level and infant age, 111 matched Chinese infants (37 per group: LF, CF, and BF; age: 6-12 months) were analyzed. Growth was evaluated using WHO Z-scores (WAZ, LAZ, WLZ, and zBMI). The gut microbiota was profiled via 16S rRNA sequencing (
resultsThe LF group exhibited significantly higher length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) compared with both the BF and CF groups (
conclusionsLactoferrin-fortified formula was associated with improved linear growth and feeding tolerance while shaping a healthy gut microbiota, showing similarities to breastfed infants' microbiota. These findings support LF fortification as a strategy to improve functional outcomes in formula-fed infants.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.