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01-12-2020 | Respiratory Microbiota | Research

Infant formula with cow’s milk fat and prebiotics affects intestinal flora, but not the incidence of infections during infancy in a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Authors: Antonia Nomayo, Andreas Schwiertz, Rainer Rossi, Katharina Timme, Janine Foster, Richard Zelenka, Josef Tvrdik, Frank Jochum

Published in: Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

The postnatal intestinal colonization of human milk-fed and formula-fed infants differs substantially, as does the susceptibility to infectious diseases during infancy. Specific ingredients in human milk, such as prebiotic human milk oligosaccharides and a specifically structured fat composition with high proportion of beta-palmitic acid (beta-PA) promote the growth of intestinal bifidobacteria, which are associated with favorable effects on infants’ health. The present study investigates whether addition of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS) in combination with higher amounts of beta-PA from cow’s milk fat in infant formula positively affects gut microbiota and the incidence of infections in formula-fed infants.

Methods

In a double-blind controlled trial, formula-fed infants were randomly assigned to either receive an experimental formula containing a higher proportion of beta-PA (20–25%) from natural cow’s milk fat, and a prebiotic supplement (0.5 g GOS/100 ml), or a standard infant formula with low beta-PA (< 10%), without prebiotics. A breast-fed reference group was also enrolled. After 12 weeks, fecal samples were collected to determine the proportion of fecal bifidobacteria. The number of infections during the first year of life was recorded.

Results

After 12 weeks, the proportion of fecal bifidobacteria was significantly higher in infants receiving formula with high beta-PA and GOS compared to control, and was similar to the breast-fed group (medians 8.8%, 2.5%, and 5.0% respectively; p < 0.001). The incidence of gastrointestinal or other infections during the first year of life did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

The combination of higher amounts of beta-PA plus GOS increased significantly the proportion of fecal bifidobacteria in formula-fed infants, but did not affect the incidence of infections.

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered with Clinical Trials (Protocol Registration and Results System Trial ID: NCT01603719) on 05/15/2012 (retrospectively registered).

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Title: Infant formula with cow’s milk fat and prebiotics affects intestinal flora, but not the incidence of infections during infancy in a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Antonia Nomayo
Andreas Schwiertz
Rainer Rossi
Katharina Timme
Janine Foster
Richard Zelenka
Josef Tvrdik
Frank Jochum
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Respiratory Microbiota
Published in: Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2194-7791
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-020-00098-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Infant formula with cow’s milk fat and prebiotics affects intestinal flora, but not the incidence of infections during infancy in a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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