配方奶添加半乳糖-低聚糖对婴儿肠道微生态调节作用的研究

目的：观察婴儿配方奶（Frisolac Advanced）添加半乳糖-低聚糖,对婴儿肠道微生态和肠道内发酵的影响,并与母乳和原有配方奶（Frisolac H）比较其功能特点。方法：选取华东、华南地区2个城市的4家医院,选择足月健康新生儿,随机分配进入已添加半乳糖-低聚糖2.4 g/L的配方喂养组（Frisolac Advanced）/ 未添加低聚糖的配方喂养组（Frisolac H）, 并选择纯母乳喂养为参考对照。共371个健康足月儿参与此项目。我们邀请所有参与的婴儿在满3个月时入院,采样检测大便中肠道微生态（双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、大肠杆菌）和短链脂肪酸（乙酸）,测定大便pH值,并记录婴儿体格生长、大便性状与机体抵抗力。结果：在婴儿满3个月时,Frisolac Advanced 配方喂养组和纯母乳喂养组肠道益生菌（双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌）数量均显著高于Frisolac H配方喂养组,Frisolac Advanced配方喂养组和纯母乳喂养组之间差异无显著性; 各组间肠道大肠杆菌数量差异无显著性。与原有配方（Frisolac H）比较,配方添加半乳糖-低聚糖2.4 g/L可显著提高大便短链脂肪酸（乙酸）含量,降低大便pH值,改善大便性状,提高大便次数,增加大便体积。配方添加半乳糖-低聚糖2.4 g/L喂养婴儿,未见明显肠道不良反应（哭闹,溢奶,呕吐）。结论：婴儿配方奶添加半乳糖-低聚糖2.4 g/L,可部分模拟母乳功能,调整肠道微生态,提高肠道益生菌数量,促进肠道内营养物质酵解产生短链脂肪酸,并改善大便性状。     

喂养方式对剖宫产婴儿大便性状及肠道菌群的影响

目的 研究纯母乳喂养或纯配方奶喂养组对婴儿大便性状及肠道菌群的影响.方法 以健康足月剖宫产婴儿为观察对象,母乳喂养组和配方奶喂养组婴儿各30例.在婴儿6周龄时采集婴儿粪便标本,同时记录婴儿体质量、头围及大便情况.应用实时荧光定量PCR技术对肠道乳酸杆菌属、双歧杆菌属,以及双歧杆菌的某些重要亚种如长双歧等,进行定量检测.结果 母乳喂养婴儿的大便次数及大便含水量明显高于配方奶喂养婴儿.母乳喂养婴儿的双歧杆菌数量明显高于配方奶喂养婴儿(P ＜ 0.05);长双歧数量母乳喂养婴儿高于配方奶喂养婴儿,但两组间差异无统计学意义.结论 剖宫产母乳喂养儿的肠道双歧杆菌数量明显高于配方奶喂养儿.     

含益生元配方奶对婴儿排便状况影响的研究

目的研究含益生元-低聚半乳糖的配方奶对婴儿胃肠道耐受度和粪便性状的影响。方法选择62例出生后除母乳外仅补充试验奶粉(添加4g/L低聚半乳糖的婴儿配方奶)的足月健康新生儿,连续记录2周包括喂养情况和大便性状以及胃肠道反应等的喂养日记;41例以不含益生元配方奶粉喂养为主的6周龄婴儿为配方奶组,1周后更换奶粉为试验奶粉,连续记录6周喂养日记,并以同龄纯母乳喂养组为对照组进行比较。结果所有婴儿均未发生呕吐、腹泻、腹胀等症状。新生儿2周随访结束时,32例为全母乳喂养,30例混合喂养,母乳喂养儿大便次数多于混合喂养儿(4.62±1.63对3.43±1.87,P=0.01),但两组大便的性状和颜色差异无统计学意义,以黄色糊状便为主。配方奶组婴儿转奶前后的大便次数均少于母乳组,大便颜色以黄色和黄绿色多见,使用含益生元配方后,婴儿大便性状较前变软,与母乳组相似。结论新生儿和婴儿对含低聚半乳糖4g/L的新配方奶粉耐受良好,该配方有助于软化婴儿粪便,与母乳喂养儿大便性状相似。     

含低聚半乳糖 + 低聚果糖配方奶对婴儿粪便性状及 有益菌水平的影响

目的探讨添加1.34 g/L低聚半乳糖+低聚果糖(GOS+FOS)益生元组合的配方奶对健康足月婴儿大便性状及肠道有益菌水平的影响。方法纳入出生3周内的配方奶(FF组)喂养婴儿25例和母乳喂养(BF组)儿29例,FF组在中位日龄13 d(1~27 d)时全部使用GOS+FOS配方奶喂养。在两组婴儿6、12周龄时进行体格测量,采集粪便标本,同时记录其大便次数和性状。应用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测粪便中乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌及其亚种水平。结果在6~12周龄的随访期内,FF组婴儿的体质量增加速率为(33.56±7.03)g/d,BF组为(31.18±6.91)g/d,两组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。6周龄时,FF组婴儿排便次数较少且粪便偏硬,12周龄时大便性状与BF组相似。FF组6周龄时粪便中双歧杆菌、长双歧杆菌和短双歧杆菌水平均低于BF组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);12周龄时上述有益菌含量均有增加,且与BF组差距缩小。结论添加低剂量GOS+FOS益生元的配方奶可为健康婴儿提供合理营养,有助于软化粪便并促进肠道双歧杆菌的生长。     

配方奶添加棕榈油对婴儿营养吸收和排便影响的Meta分析

目的 探讨配方奶中添加棕榈油对婴儿营养吸收和排便的影响.方法 检索Cochrane图书馆、PubMed、OVID、Springer数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、维普全文数据库、万方全文数据库和中国生物医学文献数据库(从1990年1月至2009年3月)中的中英文文献,并对纳入文献质量进行评估,分析婴儿肠道营养吸收营养物质,大便中电解质的含量,体内钙的沉积和婴儿排便的情况.结果 共纳入文献13篇,配方奶没有添加棕榈酸或添加棕榈酸(Sn-2位置)较配方奶添加棕榈酸(sn-1,3位置)喂养的婴儿,更有利于肠道吸收脂肪酸和钙离子,减少婴儿大便中钙离子的排泄(P<0.01);配方奶没有添加棕榈酸喂养婴儿3、6月龄时骨矿物质含量(bone mineral content,BMC)和骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)明显高于配方奶添加棕榈酸(Sn-1,3位置)喂养婴儿(P<0.01),有利于婴儿体内钙的沉积;配方奶添加棕榈酸(Sn-2 位置)婴儿大便中皂化物的含量低于没有添加棕榈酸喂养婴儿(P<0.01),BMC高于没有添加棕榈酸喂养婴儿(P<0.01);配方奶没有添加棕榈酸或添加棕榈酸(Sn-2位置)喂养婴儿稀糊状大便的比例明显高于配方奶添加棕榈酸(sn-1,3位置)喂养的婴儿(P<0.01);配方奶没有添加棕榈酸或添加棕榈酸(Sn-2位置)喂养婴儿大便干硬的比例明显低于配方奶添加棕榈酸(Sn-1,3位置)喂养的婴儿(P<0.01).结论 添加棕榈酸(Sn-1,3位置)较不添加棕榈酸或添加棕榈酸(Sn-2 位置)配方奶喂养的婴儿,肠道吸收脂肪酸和钙离子减少,大便中钙离子的排泄增加,BMC含量明显降低,大便干硬的发生率增加.但研究纳入文献的质量有限,对此结论的运用和推广应谨慎.     

母乳低聚糖及益生元与婴幼儿营养和健康

益生元是指不能在上消化道被分解或吸收的食物成分,其进入结肠后可有选择地刺激结肠中的一种或少数几种有益细菌的生长,从而对宿主产生有益的作用。益生元的化学本质是一些不能被消化的短链碳水化合物,又被称为低聚糖,但是并非所有的低聚糖都具有益生元的特性。目前应用较多的益生元有低聚果糖、菊粉、低聚半乳糖等。母乳中含有丰富的低聚糖,目前已发现100多种。母乳低聚糖是重要的益生元,是母乳喂养的婴儿获得以双歧杆菌为主导的肠道菌群和增强免疫功能的主要因素。使用添加益生元性低聚糖的婴幼儿配方食品,可以使人工喂养婴儿具有与母乳喂养儿相同的肠道细菌的组成特征,并体现相应的生物学作用。本文简要讨论益生元的概念和特性、母乳低聚糖的研究历史及益生元在婴幼儿营养和健康中的作用。     

6 月龄内婴儿母乳喂养指南的科学依据

正6月龄内婴儿母乳喂养指南的核心推荐为6条:(1)产后尽早开奶,坚持新生儿第一口食物是母乳;(2)坚持6月龄内纯母乳喂养;(3)顺应喂养,建立良好的生活规律;(4)生后数日开始补充维生素D,不需补钙;(5)婴儿配方奶是不能纯母乳喂养时的无奈选择;(6)监测体格指标,保持健康生长。每一条核心推荐的制定均有其科学依据。     

母乳瘦素与新生儿体格发育的关系

目的:探讨母乳瘦素对新生儿体格发育的影响.方法:选择2007年1月至2009年6月在本院顺产的健康产妇及其新生儿各120名,根据喂养方式分为纯母乳喂养组、混合喂养组和纯配方奶喂养组,测定分娩时脐血及产后第3、28天新生儿血清和母乳瘦素水平,测量新生儿出生时、生后28天体重和身长,并计算Ponderal指数(PI),比较各组瘦素变化及新生儿体格发育情况,探讨二者之间的关系.结果各组新生儿血清瘦素水平出生时差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),第3天纯配方奶组低于纯母乳组[(1.7±1.2)μg/L比(2.6±1.4)μg/L,P<0.05],第28天纯配方奶组低于纯母乳组和混合喂养组[(2.3±1.1)μg/L比(3.2±1.3)μg/L、(2.9±1.4)μg/L,P均<0.05].新生儿出生时各组PI值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),第28天纯配方奶组高于纯母乳组和混合喂养组[(2.9±0.3)g/cm3比(2.7±0.2)g/cm3、(2.8±0.3)g/cm3,P均<0.05].产妇母乳瘦素水平第3天各组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),第28天混合组低于纯母乳组[(11.7±3.8)μg/L比(13.5±4.6)μg/L,P<0.05].结论:不同喂养方式影响新生儿瘦素水平,并进而影响新生儿期体格发育,母乳瘦素是新生儿瘦素的主要来源.     

配方奶喂养对婴儿生长发育的研究

目的　观察配方奶喂养婴儿的生长发育情况 ,以期为无法进行母乳喂养的婴儿获得优质、价格合理的配方奶。方法　 30例人工喂养新生儿 (各种客观原因无法获得母乳 )采用配方奶喂养 ,并与 30例同性别、胎龄、出生体重和父母文化程度近似的纯母乳喂养新生儿作配对观察。结果　两组婴儿于生后 4 2d、2个月、3个月时检测其体重、身高、头围均无显著性差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。 3个月时两组智能智力发育指数 (MDI)、运动发育指数 (PDI)无显著性差异 (P均 >0 .0 5 )。结论　用该配方奶喂养的婴儿 ,其前 3个月体格和智能情况能达到与母乳喂养儿相同的发育程度。     

出生3个月内婴儿的碘营养状态及其对早期生长发育的影响

目的了解出生3个月内婴儿的碘营养状态及其对早期生长发育的影响。方法在非碘缺乏地区的上海随机选取122名出生3个月内的婴儿(母乳喂养儿68名,配方乳喂养儿54名)进行观察性研究。分别于婴儿日龄42d和90d时测定其母乳或配方乳及婴儿尿中的碘浓度,并对婴儿进行身长、体重和头围测量,婴儿90d时行Gesell智力发育评估。结果①42d和90d时婴儿尿碘浓度(中位数)分别为161.0μg/L和184.1μg/L;②母乳和配方乳喂养婴儿在42d和90d日龄时的尿碘浓度(中位数)分别为197.9μg/L、115.4μg/L和219.2μg/L、140.1μg/L;尿碘浓度低于100μg/L的比例分别为12.0%、42.4%和4.4%、33.6%;③母乳和配方乳的乳碘浓度(中位数)分别为109.1μg/L和88.9μg/L,均与婴儿尿碘浓度呈正相关(r=0.523,0.696);④出生3个月内不同碘营养状态的婴儿在体格和智能发育方面差异均无统计学意义。结论①部分婴儿存在碘营养不足或过多,应加强对婴儿碘营养状态的监测;②母乳喂养婴儿的碘营养状态优于配方乳喂养的婴儿,积极鼓励母乳喂养;③出生3个月内不同碘营养状态婴儿间的体格和智能发育尚未见明显差异,有待进一步随访观察。     

Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides: more like breast-fed infants

OBJECTIVES: The intestinal flora of breast-fed infants is generally dominated by Bifidobacteria. We aimed to investigate whether an infant formula supplemented with galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides (GOS/FOS) is able to establish a bifido-dominant microflora, not only in numbers but also with respect to the metabolic activity in the colon. METHODS: Two groups of infants fed infant formula with 0.8 g/100 ml GOS/FOS in a ratio of 9:1 (OSF group), or control formula (SF group) were evaluated in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled intervention study. A breast-fed group was studied in parallel. At study onset and after 4 and 6 weeks, faecal samples were examined for the number of bifidobacteria, pH, short chain fatty acids and lactate. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the mean proportion of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the OSF group (59.6% versus 49.5% in the SF group; P < 0.05). Compared with controls, infants in the OSF group had a lower stool mean pH and an increased proportion of acetate and a decreased proportion of propionate. The mean pH in the OSF and SF groups were 5.7 and 6.3, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the prebiotic GOS/FOS mixture to an infant formula has a stimulating effect on the growth of bifidobacteria and on the metabolic activity of the total intestinal flora. The changes in short chain fatty acids, lactate and pH in the prebiotic group represent a fermentation profile that is closer to that observed in breast-fed infants compared to infants fed control formula.     

Effects of a new mixture of prebiotics on faecal flora and stools in term infants

A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was performed in 90 full term infants to evaluate dose-related bifidogenic effects of a new synergistic mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosacharides (FOS). The GOS/FOS mixture showed a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on the intestinal growth of bifidobacteria. Also stool consistency and faecal pH were positively affected.     

Acidic oligosaccharides from pectin hydrolysate as new component for infant formulae: effect on intestinal flora, stool characteristics, and pH

OBJECTIVES: To come even closer to the functional composition of human milk, acidic oligosaccharides (AOS) from pectin were added to well known neutral prebiotics (galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)). The effect of AOS and GOS/FOS/AOS on intestinal flora, stool characteristics as well as acceptance and tolerance was investigated. METHODS: Human milk contains 75% to 85% neutral and 15% to 25% acidic oligosaccharides. In this prospective, randomized, double blind study, a mixture of 80% neutral oligosaccharides (from long-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides) with 20% acidic oligosaccharides derived from pectin hydrolysis was investigated. Forty-six term infants were fed a standard formula supplemented with either maltodextrin as control (n=15), or with 0.2 g acidic oligosaccharides (n=16), or with the latter plus 0.6 g neutral oligosaccharides (mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides; n=15). Fecal flora using plating technique and pH were measured. Stool characteristics and possible side effects (crying, vomiting, and regurgitation) were recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference in the bifidobacteria counts between the control and the group supplemented with acidic oligosaccharides alone (8.75+/-0.50 vs. 8.58+/-0.94 log colony forming units [CFU]/g stool). In infants fed the combination of acidic and neutral oligosaccharides, bifidobacteria were increased (9.61+/-0.70 log CFU/g stool; P<0.01). The same pattern was observed with lactobacilli. Stool consistency was softest in infants fed the complete oligosaccharide mixture, but also in those fed formula supplemented with acidic oligosaccharides alone, the stool consistency was significantly softer compared with the control group. Fecal pH increased in the controls, remained constant in acidic oligosaccharides alone, and decreased in the complete mixture of oligosaccharides group. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in growth, crying, vomiting, and regurgitation patterns between the groups. In summary, acidic oligosaccharides from pectin hydrolysate are well tolerated as ingredient in infant formulae but do not affect intestinal microecology.     

Supplementation of a bovine milk formula with an oligosaccharide mixture increases counts of faecal bifidobacteria in preterm infants

BACKGROUND: The establishment of a balanced intestinal microflora which may protect against infection is desirable for the preterm infant. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a preterm formula milk supplement consisting of oligosaccharides in similar proportions to human milk on the faecal flora and stool characteristics of preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: To resemble the effect of human milk, an oligosaccharide mixture consisting of 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides was used to supplement a standard preterm formula at a concentration of 10 g/l. This supplemented formula was studied in 15 preterm infants, and the results were compared with those found in 15 infants fed a formula supplemented with maltodextrin as placebo. A group fed fortified mother's milk was investigated as a reference group (n = 12). On four days during a 28 day feeding period (1, 7, 14, and 28), the faecal flora was investigated, and stool characteristics, growth, and possible side effects were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, the number of bifidobacteria in the group fed the oligosaccharide supplemented formula increased to the upper range of bifidobacteria counts in the reference group. The difference between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups was highly significant (p = 0.0008). The stool characteristics were also influenced by the supplement: the stool frequency after 28 days was significantly lower in the control group than in the oligosaccharide supplemented group (p = 0.0079) and the reference group (p < 0.0001). Over the study period, the stool consistency in the control group became harder, but remained fairly stable in the other two groups. There was no effect of the different diets on the incidence of side effects (crying, regurgitation, vomiting) or on weight gain or length gain. CONCLUSION: Supplementing preterm formula with a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides at a concentration of 10 g/l stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestine and results in stool characteristics similar to those found in preterm infants fed human milk. Therefore prebiotic mixtures such as the one studied may help to improve intestinal tolerance to enteral feeding in preterm infants.     

Prebiotic effect of fructo-oligosaccharide supplemented term infant formula at two concentrations compared with unsupplemented formula and human milk

BACKGROUND: Human milk components, including oligosaccharides, affect the gastrointestinal flora of infants. Previous studies in adults have demonstrated that fructo-oligosaccharides increase potentially beneficial fecal bacteria, including bifidobacteria. The purpose of this study was to determine the prebiotic effect of infant formula supplemented with fructo-oligosaccharides. METHODS: Healthy term infants 2 to 6 weeks of age were enrolled in a 5-week, prospective, randomized, crossover, single-site study with a nonrandomized human milk comparator group. Washout weeks preceded and followed a week of feeding with fructo-oligosaccharide-supplemented formula (1.5 or 3.0 g/L). Stool specimens were quantitatively cultured weekly for bacteroides, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, clostridia and enterococci and were tested for Clostridium difficile toxin. RESULTS: Seventy-two of 87 infants completed the trial; 58 were formula fed and 14 were human milk fed. Mean counts of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were similar in all groups at entry and no group experienced a significant change in counts with fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation. After 7 days of fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation the bifidobacteria counts were greater in the 1.5 g/L fructo-oligosaccharide formula group than in the human milk fed or 3.0 g/L fructo-oligosaccharide formula groups. Formula-fed infants had higher counts of enterococci and bacteroides before fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation, and these counts did not change after supplementation. Clostridium counts increased 7 days after supplementation in the 1.5 g/L fructo-oligosaccharide formula group (P = 0.0356). No human milk fed infants had C. difficile toxin in stools. Fructo-oligosaccharide (3.0 g/L) supplementation resulted in more frequent and significantly softer stools. CONCLUSIONS: Infant formula supplemented with 1.5 or 3.0 g/L fructo-oligosaccharides was safe but had minimal effect on fecal flora and C. difficile toxin.     

Prebiotic concept for infant nutrition

In the neonatal period, the intestine is colonised in a stepwise process that depends on mode of delivery, environmental factors, bacterial interactions, and the host itself resulting in a colonisation with a complex heterogeneous bacterial flora. Oligosaccharides have been identified as an important prebiotic factor of human milk As long as analogues of human milk oligosaccharides are not available now and in the near future it is aimed to resemble the prebiotic effect of human milk by oligosaccharides from available sources. In the present study in preterm infants, a mixture of 90% galacto-oligosaccharides and 10% fructo-oligosaccharides has been tested. The mixture of GOS/FOS was composed to mimic the molecule size distribution of human milk oligosaccharides. Microbiological analysis of the faces was performed before and 7, 14, and 28 days after start of supplementation and stool characteristics have been recorded. Maltodextrin was used as placebo and infants fed human milk have been used as reference. After a 28 days feeding period, the number of bifidobacteria of the group fed the oligosaccharide supplemented formula was in the upper range of the reference group whereas the numbers of the group fed the formula supplemented with the placebo were in the lower range of the reference group (placebo: 7.9 ± 0.83 and GOS/FOS mixture: 10,0 ± 2.05 log 10 CFU/g wet stool; reference (M ± SD): 7.14-10.7 log 10 CFU/g wet stool). Stool characteristics in the group fed the supplemented formula were close to those found in the human milk fed infants. In summary, supplementation of a preterm formula with a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides has a stimulating effect on the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestine and results in more frequent produced and softer stools. Thus, prebiotic mixtures such like the studied oligosaccharide mixture might help in improving intestinal tolerance to enteral feeding in preterm infants.     

Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in infant formulas: A review

The present review summarizes clinical and experimental data concerning the possible effects of a prebiotic mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. The results from several studies, made up of over 400 preterm and term infants, clearly demonstrate that the prebiotic mixture under examination specifically stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and reduces the growth of pathogens. As a consequence of the changed intestinal flora by the dietary galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides, the faecal pH values and the short-chain fatty acid pattern were similar to those found in breastfed infants. In addition, the stool consistency was the same as in breastfed infants. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that the specific short-chain fatty acid pattern, at a pH similar to that found in faecal samples of breastfed infants, reduces the growth of pathogens in a dose-dependent manner but does not influence the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. In an animal vaccination model, the prebiotic mixture improved the response to vaccination. In an allergy model (sensitization by ovalbumin), the allergic reaction was reduced by the prebiotic mixture. The data obtained from animal experiments are in agreement with preliminary data from clinical trials which indicate a reduced allergic response (reduced plasma IgE/IgG4 ratio) and reduced episodes of upper airway infection during the first year of life.
Conclusion: Experimental evidence demonstrates that the prebiotic mixture employed in these studies modulates the intestinal flora and modulates the immune system as human milk does. There are sufficient experimental data to put forward the hypothesis that substances like the prebiotic mixture under study will substantially contribute to the improvement of the protective properties of infant formulas.     

Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in infant formulas: a review

The present review summarizes clinical and experimental data concerning the possible effects of a prebiotic mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. The results from several studies, made up of over 400 preterm and term infants, clearly demonstrate that the prebiotic mixture under examination specifically stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli and reduces the growth of pathogens. As a consequence of the changed intestinal flora by the dietary galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides, the faecal pH values and the short-chain fatty acid pattern were similar to those found in breastfed infants. In addition, the stool consistency was the same as in breastfed infants. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that the specific short-chain fatty acid pattern, at a pH similar to that found in faecal samples of breastfed infants, reduces the growth of pathogens in a dose-dependent manner but does not influence the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. In an animal vaccination model, the prebiotic mixture improved the response to vaccination. In an allergy model (sensitization by ovalbumin), the allergic reaction was reduced by the prebiotic mixture. The data obtained from animal experiments are in agreement with preliminary data from clinical trials which indicate a reduced allergic response (reduced plasma IgE/IgG4 ratio) and reduced episodes of upper airway infection during the first year of life. CONCLUSION: Experimental evidence demonstrates that the prebiotic mixture employed in these studies modulates the intestinal flora and modulates the immune system as human milk does. There are sufficient experimental data to put forward the hypothesis that substances like the prebiotic mixture under study will substantially contribute to the improvement of the protective properties of infant formulas.     

Effects of a new mixture of prebiotics on faecal flora and stools in term infants

A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was performed in 90 full term infants to evaluate dose-related bifidogenic effects of a new synergistic mixture of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and fructo-oligosacharides (FOS). The GOS/FOS mixture showed a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on the intestinal growth of bifidobacteria. Also stool consistency and faecal pH were positively affected.