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 .
Safety and Tolerance of a Probiotic Formula in Early Infancy Comparing Two Probiotic Agents: A Pilot Study
Objective : To compare the safety and tolerance of two formulas , supplemented with different probiotic agents , in early infancy . Design : Prospect i ve r and omized placebo-controlled trial . Setting : Clinics of a University Medical Center . Subjects : Full-term healthy infants aged less than 4 months . Intervention : Infants were r and omly assigned for 4 weeks to a st and ard milk-based formula supplemented with either Bifidobacterium lactis ( BB-12 ) , Lactobacillus reuteri ( ATCC 55730 ) or a probiotics-free formula . Measures of Outcome : Growth parameters , daily characteristics of feeding , stooling and behavior , and side effects . Results : Fifty-nine infants , aged 3–65 days , were included . Subjects in all three groups were similar at entry in terms of gestational age , birth weight , sex , growth parameters and breast feeding rate prior to the study . The supplemented formulas were well accepted and did not reveal any adverse effects . A comparison of growth parameters , and variables of feeding , stooling and crying and irritability did not reveal any significant differences between groups . Conclusions : The use of formula supplemented with either Lactobacillus reuteri or Bifidobacterium lactis in early infancy , was safe , well tolerated and did not adversely affect growth , stooling habits or infant behavior
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 .