Comparison of infant formula preparation using clean and sterile technique

This study was an attempt to explore the relationship between infant illness or infection and the method of formula preparation used. 26 healthy term newborn infants were fed formula prepared by clean technique and terminal sterilization, and followed to 6 weeks of age. The findings were described and the following general impressions were implied: a) newborn term infants can safely be given formula prepared by clean technique when a clean city water supply and a sterile milk source is used, b) clean technique is generally well accepted by mothers, c) less time is spent preparing formula by clean technique than by terminal sterilization, d) mothers with clean housekeeping habits produced a contaminated formula approximately as often as mothers with poor housekeeping habits, e) terminal sterilization and clean technique produced sterile and contaminated formula samples in equal number, f) 60% of babies receiving sterile formula developed gastrointestinal symptoms, while 40% of babies receiving contaminated formula developed symptoms, g) 50% of babies in a clean or cluttered home developed gastrointestinal symptoms regardless of the degree of formula contamination.