Evidence supporting the use of: Colostrum
For the health condition: Failure to Thrive

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Colostrum is the first form of milk produced by mammals (including humans and cows) immediately following delivery of the newborn. It is rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors, antimicrobial peptides, and nutrients. There is scientific rationale for the use of colostrum, especially bovine colostrum, as a nutritional supplement in pediatric populations experiencing Failure to Thrive (FTT), although the body of evidence is limited and mainly consists of small clinical trials, preclinical studies, and extrapolation from animal models.

Some studies have shown that bovine colostrum supplementation can improve gut health, enhance nutrient absorption, and support immune function in malnourished children and preterm infants. Its high protein content and presence of growth factors such as IGF-1 and TGF-β have been proposed to stimulate growth and tissue repair. For example, research in children with malnutrition or chronic diarrhea suggests that colostrum supplementation can help restore gut integrity and may have a positive effect on weight gain and linear growth.

However, while these findings are promising, they are not yet robust or widely replicated. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have concluded that the evidence base is still emerging and that more large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to firmly establish efficacy for FTT. In summary, the use of colostrum for FTT has some scientific justification, especially in settings of gut dysfunction or malnutrition, but the level of evidence is moderate to low at present.

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