Over 100 Healthcare Professionals Convene to Explore the Critical Impact of Early Nutrition on Long-Term Brain Development

Mead Johnson Clinical Study Reveals the Sustained Cognitive Benefits of Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM)

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HONG KONG, Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong (“Mead Johnson”), in collaboration with Medical Conscience, hosted a Paediatric Nutrition Symposium on September 15. The Symposium, themed “Clinical Benefits of Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) for Sustained Neurodevelopment at Age 5.5,” explored the crucial role of MFGM in promoting infant and young child brain development and immune development. The event featured several distinguished speakers, including Prof. Rafael Jimenez-Flores, JT Parker Endowed Chair in Dairy Foods at The Ohio State University, Dr. Sylvia Doo, Specialist in Developmental Behavioural Paediatrics, and Ms. Fion Xiong, Head of R&D and Quality Food Safety for Mead Johnson China. Attracting over a hundred healthcare professionals, the symposium served as a platform to share the latest information and clinical research findings on infant and young child nutrition and intellectual development.

In breastmilk, fats exist in the form of milk fat globules. Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) is a tri-layer membrane enveloping milk fat secreted as lipid droplets in milk. It is composed of precious and bioactive components. Cow’s milk also contains MFGM, but its content is extremely scarce – approximately 1 kilogram of MFGM can be extracted from every 500 kilograms of high-quality cow’s milk^[1]. MFGM contains over 1,000 nutrients, including more than 700 proteins, phospholipids, gangliosides, which are bioactive components vital for promoting the development of the brain and immune system^[2],[3],[4].

Long-Term Research Validates MFGM’s Impact on Brain Development

During the symposium, Dr. Sylvia Doo elucidated the importance of early nutritional intake for children’s long-term development. She stated: “Breastmilk provides brain-building nutrition for infants, and its rich bioactive nutrients are delivered to the infant via MFGM. Studies show that phospholipids and gangliosides in MFGM are essential for the development and maintenance of the central nervous system, supporting efficient neural signal transmission and cognitive function.”

A five-year clinical study conducted by Mead Johnson in Mainland China showed that infants who consumed formula containing MFGM during their first year of life demonstrated superior cognitive, language, motor, and sustained attention at 12 months of age compared to a control group[5]. Further follow-up study at 5.5 years of age revealed that children who consumed MFGM-containing formula during their first year had significantly higher full-scale IQ composite scores, visual-spatial abilities, and processing speed compared to the group on standard formula. The study reaffirms the significant role of MFGM in children’s long-term brain development.

Advanced Technology Ensures MFGM Components Mimic Breastmilk

In his presentation, Prof. Rafael Jimenez-Flores emphasized that incorporating MFGM into infant formula and other infant and young child nutritional products requires advanced and effective production technologies. This ensures the ingredients of MFGM structure mimic that found in breastmilk, thereby preserving active proteins and phospholipids, and minimizing nutrient loss.

He said: “During the manufacturing process of milk formula, maintaining the integrity and bioactivity of MFGM components is crucial. By using high-quality milk sources and advanced production technologies, the product containing MFGM components can reconstitute a fat globule structure similar to that of breastmilk. This helps enhance the interaction of bioactive components with the nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immune system, thereby supporting children’s growth. At the same time, components such as sphingomyelin in MFGM contribute to supporting nervous system development. Their latest research shows that MFGM can influence the production of neurotransmitters, mechanistically confirming that MFGM supports neurological development.”

Prof. Jimenez-Flores also pointed out that these research findings are supported by clinical evidence from various regions, including relevant studies from Sweden, Japan, and Mainland China, all of which validated the positive impact of MFGM on the nervous system and immune development of infants and young children.

A Century of Scientific Innovation to Safeguard Children’s Healthy Growth

Ms. Fion Xiong, Head of R&D and Quality Food Safety for Mead Johnson China, stated: “Research on MFGM has deepened and diversified in recent years, particularly on its application to improve the health of infants and young children. As a pioneer in infant formula, Mead Johnson launched its first MFGM-enriched product in 2016, setting an industry precedent for MFGM application. This ingredient boasts extensive scientific evidence in driving cognitive development and is hailed as an advanced version of DHA. Since its establishment 120 years ago, Mead Johnson has consistently upheld its core philosophy centered on love and care, committed to providing high-quality nutritional support for children through scientific and clinical research, continuous innovation and a pursuit of excellence.”

The symposium also featured a discussion and Q&A session, fostering interactive exchanges that deepened participants’ understanding of how MFGM, considered a “golden nutrition,” supports children’s brain development and long-term growth.

About Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited 

Mead Johnson has been established for more than a century. Since its founding in 1905, the renowned infant and child nutrition brand has led the way in developing science-based pediatric nutrition products, guided by the mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life.

Excellent quality has helped Mead Johnson earn the trust of nutritionists and parents. Its dedicated and rigorous approach, continuous innovation, tireless pursuit of excellence, and caring feedback to the community have also helped establish a good brand image. 

Mead Johnson (Hong Kong) Limited has been in Hong Kong for over half a century. It provides Hong Kong parents with high-quality, science-based products, various parenting information, and professional advice, gaining trust and support from parents. 

Mead Johnson’s scientists and healthcare professionals are focusing their efforts on the formula for children with special nutrition needs. Mead Johnson is one of the very few brands that insists on producing the formula for children with special needs, giving them hope. 

For more information, please visit:
http://www.meadjohnson.com.hk/
https://www.meadjohnson.com.hk/neuropro/