Neutral and acidic oligosaccharides supplementation does not increase the vaccine antibody response in preterm infants in a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
In preterm infants, a decreased immunological response and lower serological effectiveness are observed after immunizations due to ineffectiveness of both humoral and cellular immune mechanisms.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of 80% neutral oligosaccharides [small-chain galacto-oligosaccharides/long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS)] in combination with 20% pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS) on antibody concentrations after DTaP-IPV-Hib immunization in preterm infants.


METHODS
In this randomized clinical trial, preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and/or birth weight <1500 g received enteral supplementation with scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS or placebo (maltodextrin) between days 3 and 30 of life. Blood samples were collected at 5 and 12 months of age.


RESULTS
In total, 113 infants were included. Baseline and nutritional characteristics were not different in both groups. Geometric mean titers were not different after prebiotic supplementation at 5 months, Ptx (37/44 EU/ml), FHA (78/96 EU/ml), Prn (78/80 EU/ml), Diphtheria (0.40/0.57 IU/ml), Tetanus (0.74/0.99 IU/ml) and Hib (0.35/0.63 µg/ml), and at 12 months Ptx (55/66 EU/ml), FHA (122/119 EU/ml), Prn (116/106 Eu/ml), Diphtheria (0.88/1.11 IU/ml), Tetanus (1.64/1.79 IU/ml) and Hib (2.91/2.55 µg/ml).


CONCLUSIONS
Enteral supplementation of neutral (scGOS/lcFOS) and acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS) does not improve the immunization response in preterm infants.


BACKGROUND
Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN16211826 ISRCTN16211826.
Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jolice P
JP
van den Berg
Elisabeth A M
EA
Westerbeek
Fiona R M
FR
van der Klis
Guy A M
GA
Berbers
Harrie N
HN
Lafeber
Ruurd M
RM
van Elburg
D000917:Antibody Formation; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000032:analysis; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
C513012:DTP-IPV-Hib vaccine; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011054:Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated; D056692:Prebiotics; D017778:Vaccines, Combined