Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a new infant formula supplemented with a low level (0.24 g/100 mL) of galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) on intestinal micro-flora (Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli and E. coli) and fermentation characteristics in term infants, compared with human milk and a standard infant formula without GOS.


METHODS
Term infants (n = 371) were approached in this study in three hospitals of China. All infants started breast-feeding. Those who changed to formula-feeding within 4 wk after birth were randomly assigned to one of the two formula groups. Growth and stool characteristics, and side effects that occurred in recruited infants were recorded in a 3-mo follow-up period. Fecal samples were collected from a subpopulation of recruited infants for analysis of intestinal bacteria (culture technique), acetic acid (gas chromatography) and pH (indicator strip).


RESULTS
After 3 mo, the intestinal Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, acetic acid and stool frequency were significantly increased, and fecal pH was decreased in infants fed with the GOS-formula or human milk, compared with those fed with the formula without GOS. No significant differences were observed between the GOS formula and human milk groups. Supplementation with GOS did not influence the incidence of crying, regurgitation and vomiting.


CONCLUSIONS
A low level of GOS (0.24 g/100 mL) in infant formula can improve stool frequency, decrease fecal pH, and stimulate intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli as in those fed with human milk.
Ben
Xiao-Ming
XM
Department of Neonatology, Nanjing Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China. benxm@163.com
Li
Juan
J
Feng
Zong-Tai
ZT
Shi
Sheng-Yun
SY
Lu
Ya-Dong
YD
Chen
Rui
R
Zhou
Xiao-Yu
XY
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002681:China; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008895:Milk, Human; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors
D009844:Oligosaccharides; D019342:Acetic Acid; D005690:Galactose