Does the consumption of amylase-containing gruels impact on the energy intake and growth of Congolese infants?

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of the incorporation of amylase in maize-based flours prepared as gruels on the energy intake and growth of Congolese infants. DESIGN A randomised controlled trial. At 18 weeks of age, infants were randomised into either an intervention group, where they were provided with a maize/soya-based flour that contained amylase, or a control group, where they were provided with a similar flour that did not contain amylase. SETTING Urban borough of Poto-Poto in Brazzaville, The Congo. SUBJECTS Eighty infants (40 in each group) were randomised into intervention and control groups. Three infants in the intervention group and two controls subsequently dropped out. RESULTS At 24 weeks, the addition of amylase resulted in a significant increase in energy intake (in kJ kg-1 day-1) from gruels without affecting breast milk consumption. In contrast, total energy intake (in kJ kg-1 day-1) did not differ significantly between groups (P= 0.08). After adjustment for morbidity and previous growth, infants in the intervention group showed better growth in length during the trial (+0.22 cm month-1; P= 0.04), especially between 24 and 31 weeks of age (+0.51 cm month-1; P< 0.01). There were no differences in weight velocity between groups. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that the consumption of amylase-treated gruels allows an increase in energy intake from these gruels without affecting breast milk consumption but has no impact on total daily energy intake. However, if started after 6 months, it could be effective in preventing faltering of infant linear growth.