What is the osmolality range for hydrolyzed protein and free amino acid–containing infant formulas?

What is the osmolality range for hydrolyzed protein and free amino acid–containing infant formulas?

• A. 200-280 mOsm/kg
• B. 330-370 mOsm/kg
• C. 420-480 mOsm/kg
• D. 150-190 mOsm/kg

Answer: (B)

Osmolality rises in these formulas because hydrolysis breaks proteins into many small solutes, increasing the number of particles in the solution. That higher solute load is reflected in a mid-range osmolality for hydrolyzed protein and free amino acid–containing formulas, about 330 to 370 mOsm/kg. This level is higher than standard polymeric formulas, which are lower, but it avoids the very high ranges that can tax an infant’s immature gut. Therefore, 330–370 mOsm/kg best fits the expected osmolality for these formulas.

Osmolality rises in these formulas because hydrolysis breaks proteins into many small solutes, increasing the number of particles in the solution. That higher solute load is reflected in a mid-range osmolality for hydrolyzed protein and free amino acid–containing formulas, about 330 to 370 mOsm/kg. This level is higher than standard polymeric formulas, which are lower, but it avoids the very high ranges that can tax an infant’s immature gut. Therefore, 330–370 mOsm/kg best fits the expected osmolality for these formulas.