[Evaluation of a minimally mineralized spring water in the nutritional management of newborns and infants].

The use of bottled mineral water during the pediatric age is increasing, both for powdered formula milk reconstitution and for diluted cow's milk. The aim of this report is to compare a bottled spring water with a very low mineral content with tap water in the reconstitution and/or dilution of 6 different infant starting formulas and cow's milk. The osmolality, buffering power and renal solute load potential of the formulas reconstituted with the bottled water were all significantly lower than when tap water was used (P < 0.01). When the bottled water was used to dilute cows' milk, the morphology of milk casein precipitates (after addition of rennet) was finer and more dispersed than when tap water was used. For formula reconstitution and milk dilution, a benefit, in terms of solute/electrolyte balance, appears to be conferred on infants by the improved rheological characteristics of modified milks reconstituted or diluted with this bottled mineral water.