The administration of currently evaluated prebiotic-supplemented formulae to healthy infants does not raise safety concerns with regard to growth and adverse effects .
Some favourable clinical effects are possible , primarily stool softening , which may be beneficial in some infants .
Currently , there is no existing robust evidence to recommend the routine use of prebiotic-supplemented formulae .
In 2011 , the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Nutrition systematic ally review ed published evidence related to the safety and health effects of the administration of formulae supplemented with pro- and /or prebiotics compared with unsupplemented formulae .
Effect of an α-Lactalbumin-Enriched Infant Formula Supplemented With Oligofructose on Fecal Microbiota, Stool Characteristics, and Hydration Status
Aims . To evaluate the impact of oligofructose (OF)-supplemented infant formula on fecal microbiota , stool characteristics , and hydration . Methods . Ninety-five formula-fed infants were r and omized to α-lactalbumin-enriched control formula ( CF ) or identical formula with 3.0 g/L OF ( EF ) for 8 weeks ; 50 infants fed human milk ( HM )  were included . Results . Eighty-four infants completed the study , 70 met per- protocol criteria . Over 8 weeks , bifidobacteria increased more in EF than CF group ( 0.70 vs 0.16 log10 bacterial counts/g dry feces , P = .008 ) ; EF was not significantly different from HM group ( P = .32 ) . EF group stool consistency was intermediate between CF and HM groups ; at week 8 , EF group had softer stools than CF ( 5-point scale : 1 = hard , 5 = watery ; consistency score 3.46 vs 2.82 , P = .015 ) without significant differences in stool frequency . Physician-assessed hydration status was normal for all infants . Conclusions . Infant formula with 3.0 g/L OF promoted bifidobacteria growth and softer stools without adversely affecting stool frequency or hydration
The administration of currently evaluated prebiotic-supplemented formulae to healthy infants does not raise safety concerns with regard to growth and adverse effects .
Some favourable clinical effects are possible , primarily stool softening , which may be beneficial in some infants .
Currently , there is no existing robust evidence to recommend the routine use of prebiotic-supplemented formulae .
In 2011 , the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology , Hepatology and Nutrition systematic ally review ed published evidence related to the safety and health effects of the administration of formulae supplemented with pro- and /or prebiotics compared with unsupplemented formulae .