Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .
Long-term consumption of infant formulas containing live probiotic bacteria: tolerance and safety.
BACKGROUND Nonpathogenic live bacteria are consumed as food by many children , particularly in the form of yogurt . The tolerance and safety of long-term consumption of specific types and strains of probiotic bacteria are not well documented . OBJECTIVE The goal was to evaluate tolerance to formulas containing 2 levels of probiotic supplementation and effects on growth , general clinical status , and intestinal health in free-living healthy infants . DESIGN This was a prospect i ve , double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study of healthy infants aged 3 - 24 mo . Infants were assigned to receive a st and ard milk-based formula containing 1 x 10(7 ) colony-forming units (CFU)/g each of Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus , formula containing 1 x 10(6 ) CFU/g each of B. lactis and S. thermophilus , or unsupplemented formula . Clinical outcomes included formula intake , gastrointestinal tolerance , anthropometric measures , daycare attendance , and history of illness . RESULTS One hundred eighteen infants aged ( + /- SD ) 7.0 + /- 2.9 mo at enrollment consumed formula for 210 + /- 127 d. There were no significant differences in age , sex , formula consumption , or length of study between groups . The supplemented formulas were well accepted and were associated with a lower frequency of reported colic or irritability ( P < 0.001 ) and a lower frequency of antibiotic use ( P < 0.001 ) than was the unsupplemented formula . There were no significant differences between groups in growth , health care attention seeking , daycare absenteeism , or other health variables . CONCLUSION Long-term consumption of formulas supplemented with B. lactis and S. thermophilus was well tolerated and safe and result ed in adequate growth , reduced reporting of colic or irritability , and a lower frequency of antibiotic use
Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .