Text Box: IMPROVED BONE MINERALIZATION IN HEALTHY TERM INFANTS FED INFANT FORMULA FREE OF PALM OLEIN Koo W1, Hammami M1, Margeson D2, Montalto M2, Lasekan J2 1Dept of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA 2Ross Products, Abbott Laboratories (Abbott), Columbus, OH, USA Objective: Palm and palm olein (PO) oils are used in some infant formulas. Infants fed MFP [Enfamilâ with Iron (Enfalac), Mead Johnson], a formula containing PO as the predominant fat have lower calcium and fat absorption than infants fed MF [Similacâ with Iron (Similac Advance), Abbott], a formula without PO (J Am Coll Nutr, 1998, 17:327). We aim to determine if such differences would lead to differences in bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD). Methods: Whole body BMC was evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded, parallel study. Healthy term infants were fed MFP or MF from 6 d to 6 mo of age. BMC and BMD were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 2000 and/or 4500A DXA). Results: Anthropometrics were not different. *Repeated measures analysis controlling for weight, gender, ethnicity and DXA instrument. Variables Timing MF (n) MFP (n) P-Value* BMC (g) Baseline 59.5 (64) 59.1 (63) 0.958 3 mos 105.6 (50) 96.1 (53) 0.012 6 mos 149.7 (50) 139.3 (52) 0.032 BMD (g/cm2) Baseline 0.203 (64) 0.203 (63) 0.865 3 mos 0.230 (50) 0.216 (53) 0.004 6 mos 0.262 (50) 0.249 (52) 0.05 Conclusion: Infants fed MF, a formula without PO had significantly greater BMC and BMD than infants fed MFP, a formula with PO. 2388