Formula feeds and meconium

Meconium elimination after birth may be considered as a marker of proper gastroenteric function in the newborn. More than 98% of term newborns pass meconium within 48 hours while preterm newborns tend to pass meconium later than term infants. The role of feeding in determining the passage of meconium is still a matter of debate. From 30 to 70% of term and preterm newborns pass meconium before their first feeding. Colostrum is considered a cathartic, so in the past it was widely accepted that breastfed infants may have a shorter time to first stool. However, more recent studies do not demonstrate that breast milk has a more stimulatory effect on meconium passage than formula. Such findings may be the result of industry efforts to develop new formulas, different from those used in the past. The main components in infant formulas that influence the passage of meconium are oligosaccharides ‘prebiotics’ and vegetable oil characterized by a high percentage of highly digestible triglycerides in which palmitic acid is esterified in β-position.