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Research on donkey milk · Study 40
Preterm infants, six years later
In 2024, Peila et al. surveyed children from the FortiLat study at school age: did allergic symptoms differ depending on whether their mother's milk on the neonatal ward had been fortified with a fortifier made from donkey milk or from cow's milk?
What it's about
The FortiLat children at school age
In the Italian FortiLat study, very small preterm infants in the intensive care unit in Turin received breast milk fortified either with a standard cow's milk fortifier or with a newly developed fortifier based on donkey milk. Allocation was random.
Earlier analyses looked at tolerability, growth and development (studies 12 to 15). This follow-up now asked whether differences in allergic symptoms appear up to school age.
To do so, two interviewers who did not know the group allocation surveyed the parents using a questionnaire.
What exactly was studied?
Briefly explained
The terms used in this study
An additive that enriches breast milk for very small preterm infants with protein and nutrients – dosed on the ward.
Randomised study from Turin in which a donkey-milk-based fortifier was compared with a cow's-milk-based one.
How much more or less often a characteristic occurs in one group. A value of 1 means: no difference.
The interviewers did not know which group a child belonged to – this reduces bias.
157 preterm infants were randomly assigned to one of the two fortifier groups in 2014–2016.
On the ward they received fortified breast milk.
At 6 to 8 years, the parents answered 25 questions about allergic symptoms.
113 children were evaluated, adjusted for sex, birth weight and other factors.
Interactive · The data at a glance
Nine questions, no difference
How was the follow-up carried out, what was found for airways, skin and foods – and how clear are the results? Switch between the views.
Proportions and relative risks from Table 2 of the original publication, rounded. Diagnosis figures from the results text.
Key findings
What the researchers report
No difference in allergic symptoms
9 of 9 characteristics not significantThere were no differences between the two groups for airways, skin and foods. This also applied after adjustment for birth weight, sex and other factors.
Small case numbers, no trend
atopic dermatitis 8 vs. 3 · emergency visits 2 vs. 6Individual medical diagnoses occurred somewhat more often in one group or the other – in both directions and with so few cases that nothing can be derived from them.
The fifth analysis
cf. studies 12 to 15The authors refer to the good tolerability of the donkey milk fortifier described in earlier analyses and consider its use on neonatal wards justifiable.
The authors conclude that the donkey milk fortifier did not influence the development of allergic symptoms in early childhood. No funding was used for the work; according to the authors, there are no conflicts of interest.
Critical assessment
A neutral finding
What the study shows
What it does not show
Research question for DON DONKEY’S®
How do we communicate allergy topics responsibly?
The study shows how carefully allergy questions are considered scientifically. For us, this is a prompt to continue only reporting study findings on the topic of allergies and not to make any promises of our own.
Original publication
The Use of a Novel Donkey Milk-Derived Human Milk Fortifier in the Neonatal Period Had No Effect on the Frequency of Allergic Manifestations During the First Years of Life: The “Fortilat Trial” Follow-Up
Peila C., Spada E., Deantoni S., Borsani M., Asteggiano M., Chiale F., Moro G. E., Giribaldi M., Cavallarin L., Cortinovis I., Coscia A.
Breastfeeding Medicine · 2024 · 19(3):223–227
DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0320
Full text: University of Turin (IRIS)
The publication describes the follow-up of a clinical study with a specialty product for preterm infants. It does not allow any product-related statement for DON DONKEY’S®.
The study summarised above was carried out independently of DON DONKEY’S® and does not relate to our products. It serves solely to inform about the state of research.
DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk and donkey milk powder are foods. They are not infant food or a substitute for breast milk, are not intended to prevent, treat or cure any disease – including allergies – and do not replace medical advice.
From our shop
DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk
100 % donkey milk · raw milk, frozen
On this page we report the findings of a published study. Independently of that, you will find our donkey milk here: 100 % donkey milk, frozen as raw milk.
100 ml bottle / 100ml · Unit price: €249,00 / 1 l · incl. VAT, plus shipping
Also in our shop
Donkey Milk Powder
Donkey milk in powder form
For anyone who prefers a longer shelf life: our donkey milk in powder form – easy to store and portion.
20g · Unit price: €1.245,00 / 1 kg · incl. VAT, plus shipping