Growth during the first 6 months of life in infants using formula enriched with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: double-blind, randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects on the immune system and gastrointestinal tract, but the impacts of their long-term consumption on health and growth in early infancy are not well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-enriched formula on growth and faecal microflora during the first 6 months of life in normal healthy infants.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty healthy infants (up to 2 months) received LGG-supplemented formula or regular formula in a double-blind, randomized manner until the age of 6 months. Weight, length and head circumference were measured monthly and transformed into standard deviation scores (SDS). Faecal samples were obtained from a random sample of infants (n=25) at entry and at the end of the study.


RESULTS
One hundred and five infants (51 in the LGG group) completed the study. Children receiving LGG-supplemented formula grew better: their changes in their length and weight SDS (DeltaSDS) at the end of the study were significantly higher than those receiving regular formula (0.44+/- 0.37 versus 0.07+/- 0.06, P< 0.01 and 0.44+/- 0.19 versus 0.07+/- 0.06, P< 0.005, respectively). The LGG group had a significant, higher defecation frequency 9.1+/-2.06 versus 8.0+/- 2.8 (P<0.05). More frequent colonization with lactobacilli was found in the LGG group, 91% versus 76% (P<0.05) at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS Infants fed with LGG-enriched formula grew better than those fed with regular formula. Further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanism of LGG in infant growth.
Vendt
N
N
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. neve.vendt@kliinukum.ee
Grünberg
H
H
Tuure
T
T
Malminiemi
O
O
Wuolijoki
E
E
Tillmann
V
V
Sepp
E
E
Korpela
R
R
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric