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2.4g/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 Ad-vanced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2.4g/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2.4g/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2.4g/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。     

母乳及配方奶对早产儿胃排空功能的影响

目的 探讨母乳及配方奶对早产儿消化道生长发育的影响。方法 将33例早产儿随机分成母乳及配方奶喂养组,采用B型实时超声显像法测定其生后d5、7、10胃排空变化,并检测开奶前、生后d5空腹时血胃动素、一氧化氮（NO）水平。结果 两组早产儿随日龄增长,50％胃排空时间逐渐缩短。母乳喂养儿d5、d750％胃排空时间短于奶方喂养儿,差异有显著意义（P均＜0.05）。生后d5奶方喂养儿胃动素水平低于母乳喂养儿（P＜0.05）,NO水平明显高于母乳喂养儿（P＜0.01）。结论 母乳喂养儿较奶方喂养儿胃排空功能成熟快。     

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。     

含二十二碳六烯酸和花生四烯酸的配方奶对婴儿生长发育的研究

目的了解人工喂养的新生儿添加二十二碳六烯酸（ＤＨＡ）和花生四烯酸（ＡＡ）的配方奶喂养后的生长发育情况，以期为人工喂养儿寻求更合理的配方奶。方法３０例人工喂 养的新生儿添加ＤＨＡ和ＡＡ的配方奶喂养，另３０例同性别、胎龄和出生体重拟似，家庭经济状况和父母文化程度相似的新生儿一母乳喂养，观察二组体格和智能发育情况。结果二组婴儿生后２８ｄ、４２ｄ、２个月、４个月时在体重、身高、头围上的差异无显著性意义。Ｐ     

不同喂养方式对极低/超低出生体重儿生长发育的影响

目的 探讨极低/超低出生体重（VLBW/ELBW）早产儿纠正年龄6个月内生长发育情况及不同喂养方式对其生长发育的影响。方法 对2016年1月至2017年4月出院并按时完成随访的VLBW/ELBW早产儿109例进行纠正年龄6个月内的生长发育监测。采用Z评分法评价体格指标,并分析不同喂养方式（母乳喂养组：母乳+母乳强化剂;混合喂养组：母乳+早产儿配方奶;人工喂养组：早产儿配方奶）对其生长发育的影响。结果 年龄别体重Z积分、年龄别身长Z积分、身长别体重Z积分、体重指数Z积分的追赶高峰发生于纠正年龄3个月内;年龄别头围Z积分的追赶高峰发生于纠正年龄5个月。VLBW/ELBW早产儿的生长偏离多发生于纠正年龄1~3个月内。母乳喂养组体重、身长、头围的生长在纠正年龄3个月时均优于混合喂养组和/或人工喂养组（P < 0.05）;母乳喂养组头围、身长的生长在纠正年龄6个月时均优于混合喂养组和/或人工喂养组（P < 0.05）。结论 VLBW/ELBW早产儿的生长偏离多发生于纠正年龄1~3个月内,提示应加强早期个体化随访及营养指导以减少生长偏离的发生。亲母母乳喂养并添加母乳强化剂是VLBW/ELBW早产儿的最佳喂养方式。     

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.     

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 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.     

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.     

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.     

Dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides are detectable in the faeces of formula-fed infants

Human milk oligosaccharides are not digested during intestinal passage and can be detected in stools. In this study it was investigated whether a prebiotic mixture of low-molecular-weight galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and high-molecular-weight fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) can be detected in stool samples of formula-fed infants. The test formula was supplemented with 0.8 g/dl oligosaccharides (GOS+FOS). In the control formula, maltodextrins were used as placebo. Fecal flora was assessed at the beginning (day 1) and at the end of a 28-d feeding period (day 2). At day 2 the content of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides in the stool samples were measured. On study day 1, the number of bifidobacteria was not different among the groups (supplemented group: 7.7 (6.2) CFU/g; placebo group: 8.0 (6.0) CFU/g). At the end of the 28-d feeding period, the number of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the group fed the supplemented formula when compared to placebo (supplemented group: 9.8 (0.7) CFU/g stool; placebo group: 7.1 (4.7) CFU/g stool; p <0.001). In all infants fed the supplemented formula, GOS and FOS could be identified in the stool samples. That was not the case in infants fed the non-supplemented formula.
Conclusion: The present data confirm the bifidogenicity of oligosaccharides and indicate that dietary galacto-oligosaccharides and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides remain during the whole passage in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, similarly to human milk oligosaccharides.     

Dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides are detectable in the faeces of formula-fed infants

Human milk oligosaccharides are not digested during intestinal passage and can be detected in stools. In this study it was investigated whether a prebiotic mixture of low-molecular-weight galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and high-molecular-weight fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) can be detected in stool samples of formula-fed infants. The test formula was supplemented with 0.8 g/dl oligosaccharides (GOS+FOS). In the control formula, maltodextrins were used as placebo. Fecal flora was assessed at the beginning (day 1) and at the end of a 28-d feeding period (day 2). At day 2 the content of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides in the stool samples were measured. On study day 1, the number of bifidobacteria was not different among the groups (supplemented group: 7.7 (6.2) CFU/g; placebo group: 8.0 (6.0) CFU/g). At the end of the 28-d feeding period, the number of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the group fed the supplemented formula when compared to placebo (supplemented group: 9.8 (0.7) CFU/g stool; placebo group: 7.1 (4.7) CFU/g stool; p<0.001). In all infants fed the supplemented formula, GOS and FOS could be identified in the stool samples. That was not the case in infants fed the non-supplemented formula. CONCLUSION: The present data confirm the bifidogenicity of oligosaccharides and indicate that dietary galacto-oligosaccharides and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides remain during the whole passage in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, similarly to human milk oligosaccharides.     

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.