title: Effect of formula composition on the development of infant gut microbiota.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Breast-feeding induces a gut microbiota rich in bifidobacteria, whereas formula-fed babies have a more diverse colonization. This ecosystem contributes to the development of the immune response and the lower incidence of diarrhea and allergy in breast-fed infants. This randomized double-blind controlled trial aimed to evaluate the bifidogenic effect of a mainly whey protein study formula low in phosphate and protein, allowing a composition closer to that of human milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety healthy infants exclusively received study formula with or without Bifidobacterium longum (BL999), or a control formula for up to 4 months. Breast-fed infants served as a reference population. Stool samples collected at 2 months of age were analyzed for bacterial counts (log colony-forming unit [CFU]/g).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bifidobacteria counts were significantly higher in infants receiving the study formula alone (10.0[0.8], P < 0.0001, median [interquartile range]) or with BL999 (9.8[1.4], P < 0.01) than control (9.2[3.5]), and were similar to breast-fed infants (10.1[0.4], P > 0.05). The difference between the 2 study groups was 0.16 log CFU/g (90% confidence interval [CI] [0-0.4]), within the predefined equivalence margin. Microbiota profile, as a percentage of total bacteria counts, showed about 50% Bifidobacteria, 8% Enterobacteria, and <10% Clostridia in study formulae and breast-fed infants versus 22%, 13%, and 19% in controls, respectively. There were no significant differences in growth measurements, digestive tolerance, and adverse events between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that infant formula closer resembling human milk was more bifidogenic than the control formula and led to a microbiota profile similar to that for breast-fed infants.
authors: Neonatology Department, Maternité Régionale Universitaire, Nancy, France. jm.hascoet@maternite.chu-nancy.fr
authors: Jean-Michel
authors: JM
authors: Hascoët
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Hubert
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Rochat
authors: Henryse
authors: H
authors: Legagneur
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Gaga
authors: Shahram
authors: S
authors: Emady-Azar
authors: Philippe G
authors: PG
authors: Steenhout