Lactobacillus GG improves recovery in infants with blood in the stools and presumptive allergic colitis compared with extensively hydrolyzed formula alone.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the benefits of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in an extensively hydrolyzed casein formula (EHCF) in improving hematochezia and fecal calprotectin over EHCF alone.


METHODS
Fecal calprotectin was compared in 30 infants with hematochezia and 4 weeks after milk elimination with that of a healthy group. We also compared fecal calprotectin and hematochezia on 26 formula-fed infants randomly assigned to EHCF with LGG (Nutramigen LGG) (EHCF + LGG) or without (Nutramigen) (EHCF - LGG) and on 4 breastfed infants whose mothers eliminated dairy.


RESULTS
Fecal calprotectin in those with hematochezia was significantly higher than in comparisons (mean +/- SD 325.89 +/- 152.31 vs 131.97 +/- 37.98 microg/g stool, t = 6.79, P < .0001). At 4 weeks, fecal calprotectin decreased to 50% of baseline but was still significantly higher than in comparisons (157.5 +/- 149.13 vs 93.72 +/- 36.65 microg/g, P = .03). Fecal calprotectin mean decrease was significantly larger among EHCF + LGG compared with EHCF - LGG (-214.5 +/- 107.93 vs -112.7 +/- 105.27 microg/g, t = 2.43, P = .02). At 4 weeks, none of the EHCF + LGG had blood in stools, and 5/14 on EHCF - LGG did (P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Fecal calprotectin is elevated in infants with hematochezia and possible allergic colitis. EHCF + LGG resulted in significant improvement of hematochezia and fecal calprotectin compared with the EHCF alone.
Baldassarre
Maria Elisabetta
ME
Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, University of Bari-Policlinic Hospital, Bari, Italy. carlosl1949@gmail.com
Laforgia
Nicola
N
Fanelli
Margherita
M
Laneve
Annamaria
A
Grosso
Roberto
R
Lifschitz
Carlos
C
D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007778:Lactobacillus; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications*; D009780:Occult Blood; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex