No statistically significant subgroup differences were found according to infant risk of allergy or type of infant feed .
There is some evidence that a prebiotic supplement added to infant feeds may prevent eczema .
It is unclear whether the use of prebiotic should be restricted to infants at high risk of allergy or may have an effect in low risk population s ; or whether it may have an effect on other allergic diseases including asthma
BACKGROUND Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotic given to infants for the prevention of allergy .
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Enteral Glutamine Supplementation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations
Objective : Glutamine depletion has negative effects on the functional integrity of the gut and leads to immunosuppression .  Very low birth weight ( VLBW ) infants are susceptible to glutamine depletion , as enteral nutrition is limited in the first weeks of life . Enteral glutamine supplementation may have a positive effect on feeding tolerance , infectious morbidity and short-term outcome . The aim of the study was to determine the effect of enteral glutamine supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations , reflecting one aspect of safety of enteral glutamine supplementation in VLBW infants . Methods : In a double-blind placebo-controlled r and omized controlled trial , VLBW infants ( gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g ) received enteral glutamine supplementation ( 0.3 g/kg per day ) or isonitrogenous placebo supplementation ( alanine ) between day 3 and day 30 of life . Supplementation was added to breast milk or to preterm formula . Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured at four time points : before the start of the study and at days 7 , 14 and 30 of life . Results : Baseline patient and nutritional characteristics were not different in glutamine ( n = 52 ) and control ( n = 50 ) groups . Plasma concentrations of most essential and non-essential amino acids increased throughout the study period . There was no effect of enteral glutamine supplementation . In particular , the increase of plasma glutamine and glutamate concentrations was not different between the treatment groups ( P = 0.49 and P = 0.34 respectively , day 30 ) . Conclusions : Enteral glutamine supplementation in VLBW infants does not alter plasma concentrations of glutamine , glutamate or other amino acids . Enteral supplementation in a dose of 0.3 g/kg per day seems safe in VLBW infants
No statistically significant subgroup differences were found according to infant risk of allergy or type of infant feed .
There is some evidence that a prebiotic supplement added to infant feeds may prevent eczema .
It is unclear whether the use of prebiotic should be restricted to infants at high risk of allergy or may have an effect in low risk population s ; or whether it may have an effect on other allergic diseases including asthma
BACKGROUND Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotic given to infants for the prevention of allergy .