Advances in the management of digestive problems during the first months of life.
A study was carried out on 168 full-term infants with digestive problems such as regurgitation and/or constipation to evaluate the efficacy of new infant formulas containing partially hydrolysed whey protein, modified vegetable oil with a high beta-palmitic acid content, prebiotic oligosaccharides and starch. Infants receiving the new formulas had an increase in stool frequency of 0.60 between day 1 and day 7 (95% CI 0.19-1.01; p=0.004) and 0.53 (95% CI 0.11-0.90; p=0.015) between day 7 and day 14. A reduction of 1.06 in the number of regurgitation episodes was reported between day 1 and day 7 (95% CI 0.24-1.88; p=0.012) and 1.31 (95% CI 0.42-2.21; p=0.005) between day 7 and day 14.


CONCLUSIONS
A prebiotic mixture of galacto-/fructo-oligosaccharides with a high beta-palmitic acid content may reduce digestive problems and improve intestinal tolerance in infants during the first months of life.
Savino
Francesco
F
Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. francesco.savino@unito.it
Maccario
Stefano
S
Castagno
Emanuele
E
Cresi
Francesco
F
Cavallo
Franco
F
Dalmasso
Paola
P
Fanaro
Silvia
S
Oggero
Roberto
R
Silvestro
Leandra
L
D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000517:prevention & control; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018529:Nutritional Support
D002241:Carbohydrates