Fermented formula has the potential to reduce some , albeit not well-defined , digestive symptoms .
Current evidence does not support the use of fermented formula for preventing cow ’s milk allergy .
Conclusion : Limited available evidence suggests that the use of fermented infant formula , compared with the use of st and ard infant formula , does not offer clear additional benefits , although some benefit on gastrointestinal symptoms can not be excluded .
What is new• Limited evidence available suggests that the use of fermented infant formula , compared with the use of st and ard infant formula , does not offer clear additional benefits , although some benefit on gastrointestinal symptoms can not be excluded .
At the same time , no negative health effects have been documented
Abstract Fermented formulas , i.e. , those fermented with lactic acid-producing bacteria during the production process and not containing significant amounts of viable bacteria in the final product , are widely available in many countries .
Our aim was to systematic ally review published evidence related to the safety and health effects of the administration of fermented infant formulas compared with st and ard infant formulas .
High faecal calprotectin concentrations in newborn infants
Background : Calprotectin , a major component of soluble cytosolic proteins in human neutrophil granulocytes , is excreted in excess in stools during inflammatory bowel disease in adults and children .  Faecal calprotectin concentrations are also higher during the first year of life than in adults . Objectives : To measure faecal calprotectin concentrations in the neonatal period and define reference values according to the mode of feeding : st and ard infant formula , prebiotic infant formula ( Calisma , Blédina SA , France ) , or breast feeding . Patients and methods : A prospect i ve study was carried out over three months in 69 full term , healthy newborns with a median gestational age of 39.8 weeks ( range 37–41.5 ) and a birth weight of 3300 g ( range 2600–4460 ) . Three groups were formed depending on the mode of feeding : group 1 ( n = 18 ) received a st and ard infant formula , group 2 ( n = 19 ) the prebiotic infant formula , and group 3 ( n = 32 ) was breast fed . One stool sample was taken from each newborn on day 4 ( 3–7 ) , and faecal calprotectin analysed using a commercial enzyme linked immunoassay ( Calprest , Eurospital , Italy ) . Results : Faecal calprotectin concentrations ( median 167 µg/g ) were higher than reference values in healthy adults . The concentration was below the upper reference limit for adults ( 50 µg/g ) for three infants only , one fed the st and ard formula and two fed the prebiotic formula . Concentrations did not differ significantly according to method of feeding . Conclusions : Compared with healthy adults , newborns have high calprotectin concentrations in the first days of life . There is no obvious influence of the mode of feeding
Fermented formula has the potential to reduce some , albeit not well-defined , digestive symptoms .
Current evidence does not support the use of fermented formula for preventing cow ’s milk allergy .
Conclusion : Limited available evidence suggests that the use of fermented infant formula , compared with the use of st and ard infant formula , does not offer clear additional benefits , although some benefit on gastrointestinal symptoms can not be excluded .
What is new• Limited evidence available suggests that the use of fermented infant formula , compared with the use of st and ard infant formula , does not offer clear additional benefits , although some benefit on gastrointestinal symptoms can not be excluded .
At the same time , no negative health effects have been documented
Abstract Fermented formulas , i.e. , those fermented with lactic acid-producing bacteria during the production process and not containing significant amounts of viable bacteria in the final product , are widely available in many countries .
Our aim was to systematic ally review published evidence related to the safety and health effects of the administration of fermented infant formulas compared with st and ard infant formulas .