Synbiotics and Growth

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of the trial is to assess the growth of the infants enrolled into the study. Other parameters to be measured include microbiota balance and certain blood biochemical values. In addition the infants' digestive tolerance of the formulae and frequency of morbidity will be investigated.

Detailed Description
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The infants will be recruited between birth and 14 days of life and will start on the allocated study formula as soon as they are enrolled. In practice this will tend to be immediately after birth. The treatment period, in terms of data necessary for the primary outcome, will be until they reach 16 weeks old. Growth and other measurements will be collected on five separate occasions during this period, ie 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of life. Although the study intervention formally ends at 16 weeks, it will be useful to have a follow up visit at 26 weeks to collect further data on the gut microflora in the sub-group of infants who have already provided a stool sample at 8 weeks. This follow-up visit will be of benefit to the subject as they receive a weight check and clinical examination by a paediatrician and will be offered to all subjects (no invasive procedures will be carried out).

Official Title
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Growth of Infants Fed Starter Formula Containing Oligo-saccharides and the Probiotics Bifidobacterium & Lactobacillus

Conditions
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Infants Growth

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Infant formula
* Other: Breastfeeding


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy new-born infant Infant is less14 days old on day of enrollment Birthweight between 2500g and 4500g Gestational age over 37 weeks Singleton birth Infant's mother, before the 14th day of the child's life, has elected not to breastfeed Infant randomized in to a treatment group can expected to be exclusively fed the formula from enrolment until 16 weeks old Having obtained his/her legal representative's informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Currently participating in another clinical trial Congenital illness or malformation that may affect normal growth Significant pre-natal and/or post-natal disease Re-hospitalisation for more than 2 days in the first 14 days of life. (Exceptionally, infants re-hospitalized because of jaundice may be enrolled in the study). Receiving antibiotic treatment at time of enrolment or in the 5 previous days. Receiving infant formula containing probiotics and/or prebiotics at the time of enrolment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 14 Days

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: Standard starter infant formula<br>starter infant formula from enrollment till 16 weeks of age | Other: Infant formula<br>* infant formula<br>|
| Experimental: starter infant formula with prebiotics<br>starter infant formula from enrollment till 16 weeks of age | Other: Infant formula<br>* infant formula<br>|
| Experimental: starter infant formula with pro and prebiotics<br>starter infant formula from enrollment till 16 weeks of age | Other: Infant formula<br>* infant formula<br>|
| Other: breastfeeding group<br>exclusively breastfeeding during the first 16 weeks of age | Other: Breastfeeding<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| mean weight gain (g/day) |  | over 16 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| length (cm), head circumference (cm) |  | over 1 year | 
| • digestive tolerance (stool characteristics and frequency, vomiting, spitting up, frequency of colic) |  | over 4 months |