title: A formula containing galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides prevents intestinal and extra-intestinal infections: an observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The addition of prebiotics to infant formula modifies the composition of intestinal microflora. Aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that prebiotics reduce the incidence of intestinal and respiratory infections in healthy infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, open trial was performed. Healthy infants were enrolled and randomized to a formula additioned with a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides or to a control formula. The incidence of intestinal and respiratory tract infections and the anthropometric measures were monitored for 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and forty two infants (mean age 53.7+/-32.1 days) were enrolled. The incidence of gastroenteritis was lower in the supplemented group than in the controls (0.12+/-0.04 vs. 0.29+/-0.05 episodes/child/12 months; p=0.015). The number of children with more than 3 episodes tended to be lower in prebiotic group (17/60 vs. 29/65; p=0.06). The number of children with multiple antibiotic courses/year was lower in children receiving prebiotics (24/60 vs. 43/65; p=0.004). A transient increase in body weight was observed in children on prebiotics compared to controls during the first 6 months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prebiotic administration reduce intestinal and, possibly, respiratory infections in healthy infants during the first year of age.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruzzese
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Volpicelli
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Squeglia
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruzzese
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salvini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bisceglia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lionetti
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinquetti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iacono
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amarri
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guarino
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005690:Galactose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000379:methods; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005632:Fructose; D005690:Galactose