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 .
Effects of galactooligosaccharide and long-chain fructooligosaccharide supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal microbiota and immunity--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND Galactooligosaccharides ( GOS ) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides ( lcFOS ) proliferate bifidobacteria in infant gut microbiota . However , it is not known how GOS and FOS influence the microbiota of pregnant women and whether a potential prebiotic effect is transferred to the offspring . OBJECTIVES We aim ed to test how supplementation with GOS and lcFOS ( GOS/lcFOS ) in the last trimester of pregnancy affects maternal and neonatal gut microbiota . Variables of fetal immunity were assessed as a secondary outcome . DESIGN In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled pilot study , 48 pregnant women were supplemented 3 times/d with 3 g GOS/lcFOS ( at a ratio of 9:1 ) or maltodextrin ( placebo ) from week 25 of gestation until delivery . Percentages of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within total bacterial counts were detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in maternal and neonatal ( days 5 , 20 , and approximately 182 ) stool sample s. Variables of fetal immunity were assessed in cord blood by using flow cytometry and cytokine multiplex-array analysis . RESULTS The proportions of bifidobacteria in the maternal gut were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the placebo group ( 21.0 % and 12.4 % , respectively ; P = 0.026 ) ; the proportion of lactobacilli did not differ between the groups . In neonates , bifidobacteria and lactobacilli percentages , diversity and similarity indexes , and fetal immune parameters did not differ significantly between the 2 groups . Mother-neonate similarity indexes of bifidobacteria decreased over time . CONCLUSIONS GOS/lcFOS supplementation has a bifidogenic effect on maternal gut microbiota that is not transferred to neonates . The increased maternal bifidobacteria did not affect fetal immunity as measured by a comprehensive examination of cord blood immunity variables
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 .