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