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 .
The effect of glutamine-enriched enteral nutrition on intestinal microflora in very low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND & AIMS In a previous study , we have found that glutamine supplementation decreased the infection rate in very low birth weight ( VLBW ) infants . In this study , we investigated whether this beneficial effect originated from increased number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the intestinal microflora of these infants . METHODS In a r and omized controlled trial , VLBW infants ( gestational age < 32 weeks and /or birth weight < 1500 g ) received enteral glutamine supplementation ( 0.3g/kg/day ) or isonitrogenous placebo supplementation between d3 and d30 of life . Faecal microflora was determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization < 48h , at d7 , d14 and d30 of life . RESULTS In 43/52 (  glutamine group ) and 43/50 ( control group ) infants , > or = 2 sample s were analyzed . Baseline characteristics were not different between groups . The prevalence of bifidobacteria , lactobacilli , Escheria coIi , streptococci and clostridia was not different between groups ( p>0.05 ) . In both groups , colonization with bifidobacteria was delayed , whereas potentially pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli , appeared rapidly after birth . Antibiotic treatment decreased the prevalence of all faecal bacteria ( p<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Decreased infectious morbidity in VLBW infants that received glutamine supplementation was not associated with alterations in the prevalence of bifidobacteria , lactobacilli , E. coIi , streptococci and clostridia . In general , colonization with health-promoting bacteria was delayed , whereas potentially pathogenic bacteria appeared rapidly after birth . Antibiotic treatment delayed the bacterial colonization
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 .