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Faecal specimens from 23 infants during the first week of life were compared. Ten infants received breast milk, six received cow-milk preparation supplemented with iron (+/- 5 mg/l) and seven unfortified cow-milk preparation (iron concentration less than 0.5 mg/l). Those on breast milk had low faecal pH, high counts of bifidobacteria and low counts of Enterobacteriaceae, bacteroides and clostridia. Infants receiving fortified cow-milk preparation had a high faecal pH and high counts of Enterobacteriaceae and putrefactive bacteria such as bacteroides and clostridia. Counts of bifidobacteria were also high. In those on unfortified cow-milk preparation a slow rise was observed in counts of Enterobacteriaceae followed by an increase in counts and isolation frequency of bifidobacteria: the latter was still rising on day 7. It is concluded that a low iron content in standard preparations of cow's milk enhances resistance of the neonatal gut to colonization.

To study the effect of milk supplemented with iron on neonatal gut flora, faecal specimens of ten infants receiving breast milk, six receiving a cow-milk preparation supplemented with iron (5 mg/l) and seven receiving the same product without iron supplement (iron concentration less than 0.5 mg/l) were examined during the first 12 weeks of life. In breast-fed infants bifidobacteria was predominant, counts of Escherichia coli were low, and other bacteria were rarely present. Infants receiving fortified cow-milk preparation had high counts of Escherichia coli, counts and isolation frequency of bifidobacteria were low and other bacteria were frequently isolated. In those on unfortified cow-milk preparation isolation frequency of Escherichia coli, bifidobacteria and bacteroides was comparable with that in breast-fed infants; however, counts of Escherichia coli were high. It is concluded that the faecal flora of infants fed unfortified cow-milk preparation acquires characteristics of that found in breast-fed infants.