Randomised controlled trial demonstrates that fermented infant formula with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of infantile colic

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Files
2767_PV.pdf(408.05 KB)
Published Version
Date
2017-04-19
Authors
Vandenplas, Yvan
Ludwig, Thomas
Bouritius, Hetty
Alliet, Philippe
Forde, Derek
Peeters, Stefaan
Huet, Frederic
Hourihane, Jonathan O'B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Published Version
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Aim: We examined the effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance of a novel infant formula that combined specific fermented formula (FERM) with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS), with a 9:1 ratio and concentration of 0.8 g/100 mL. Methods: This prospective, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial comprised 432 healthy, term infants aged 0–28 days whose parents decided to not start, or discontinued, breastfeeding. Infant formula with scGOS/lcFOS+50%FERM, scGOS/lcFOS+15%FERM, 50%FERM and scGOS/lcFOS were tested. Parents completed standardised seven-day diaries on GI symptoms, crying, sleeping and stool characteristics each month until the infants were 17 weeks. Results: All the formulas were well tolerated. At four weeks, the overall incidence of infantile colic was significantly lower (8%) with scGOS/lcFOS+50%FERM than scGOS/lcFOS (20%, p = 0.034) or 50%FERM (20%, p = 0.036). Longitudinal modelling showed that scGOS/lcFOS+50%FERM-fed infants also displayed a persistently lower daily crying duration and showed a consistent stool-softening effect than infants who received formula without scGOS/lcFOS. Conclusion: The combination of fermented formula with scGOS/lcFOS was well tolerated and showed a lower overall crying time, a lower incidence of infantile colic and a stool-softening effect in healthy term infants. These findings suggest for the first time that a specific infant formula has a preventive effect on infantile colic in formula-fed infants.
Description
Keywords
Fermented formula , Gastrointestinal tolerance , Infant formula , Infantile colic , Prebiotic
Citation
Vandenplas, Y., Ludwig, T., Bouritius, H., Alliet, P., Forde, D., Peeters, S., Huet, F. and Hourihane, J. (2017) 'Randomised controlled trial demonstrates that fermented infant formula with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of infantile colic', Acta Paediatrica, 106(7), pp. 1150-1158. doi:10.1111/apa.13844
Link to publisher’s version