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 .
“Minor” feeding problems during the first months of life: effect of a partially hydrolysed milk formula containing fructo‐ and galacto‐oligosaccharides
Background : Colic , regurgitation and constipation are common feeding problems in formula‐fed infants that might benefit from dietary treatment . A formula containing fructo‐ and galacto‐oligosaccharides , partially hydrolysed proteins , low levels of lactose and palmitic acid in the β position and higher density has been tested to reduce the occurrence of these symptoms . The aim of this prospect i ve study was to describe the effects of such a formula in infants with minor gastrointestinal disorders . Methods : An observational prospect i ve trial involving practising Italian paediatricians was performed .  Formula fed‐infants up to 90 d of age with minor gastrointestinal problems such as infantile colics and /or regurgitation and /or constipation were enrolled in the study from January 2001 to May 2001 . The study was completed within 14 d of treatment . On days 1 , 7 and 14 the infants were visited by the paediatricians . Parents were given a structured diary to record daily episodes of colic , regurgitation and type and number of stools . Results : Of the 932 infants enrolled , 604 completed the study . Of the 214 infants with colic , 169 ( 79 % ) demonstrated a reduction in frequency of colic from 4.1 ± 2.0 per day at the beginning of the study to 2.0 ± 1.8 at the end of the study ( I.C. 95 % : 1.72–2.39 ; p < 0.005 ) . A reduction in the number of episodes of colic of 1.8 per day at the beginning of the study ( I.C. 95 % : 1.49–2.11 ; p < 0.05 ) was recorded between day 1 and day 7 , and of 0.26 ( I.C. 95 % : 0.15–0.37 ; p < 0.05 ) between day 7 and day 14 . Of the 201 infants with regurgitation problems , 141 ( 70 % ) demonstrated a reduction of frequency of the symptoms from 4.2 ± 2.0 per day at the beginningof the study to 2.1 ± 2.2 at the end of the study ( I.C. 95 % : 1.75–2.35 ; p < 0.005 ) . A reduction of 1.87 in the number of regurgitation episodes was reported between day 1 and day 7 ( I.C. 95 % : 1.57–2.16 ; p < 0.05 ) and of 0.18 ( I.C. 95 % : 0.06–0.31 ; p < 0.05 ) between day 7 and day 14 . Of the 232 infants with constipation , 147 ( 63 % ) demonstrated an increase in the daily number of stools of 0.42 ( I.C. 95 % : 0.5–0.3 ; p < 0.005 ) . An increase in stool frequency of 0.41 ( I.C. 95 % : 0.51–0.23 ; p < 0.05 ) was reported between day 1 and day 7 , and of 0.04 ( I.C. 95 % : 0.22–0.14 ; p= ns ) between day 7 and day 14 . Parents’evaluation of the formula was 7.9 ± 1.8 ( score 0–10 ) ; 550 parents ( 91 % ) gave a positive judgement ( score > 6 ) . The evaluation by the paediatricians of the improvement in symptoms after the treatment was 8.2 ± 1.5 ; 574 ( 95 % ) a positive effect ( score > 6 )
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 .