title: Effect of a Growing-up Milk Containing Synbiotics on Immune Function and Growth in Children: A Cluster Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Study.
abstract: Common infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are still the major cause of death in children under 5-years-old, particularly in developing countries. It is known that there is a close relationship between nutrition and immune function. To evaluate the effect of a growing-up milk containing synbiotics on immune function and child growth, we conducted a cluster randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial in children between 18 and 36 months of age in Vietnam. Eligible children from eight and seven kindergartens were randomly assigned to receive test and isocaloric/ isoproteic control milk, respectively, for 5 months. We found that the blood immunoglobulin A (IgA) level and growth parameters were increased in the test group. Compared to the control group, there was also a trend of decreased vitamin A deficiency and fewer adverse events in the test group. These data suggest that a growing-up milk containing synbiotics may be useful in supporting immune function and promoting growth in children.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam.
authors.forename: Ninh Nguyen
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Research Center, Nestec Ltd.
authors.forename: Dantong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Clinical Development Unit, Nestec Ltd.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grathwohl
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam.
authors.forename: Phuong Nguyen Thi
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition of Vietnam.
authors.forename: Hoa Vu Thi
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Clinical Development Unit, Nestec Ltd.
authors.forename: Amélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goyer
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Research Center, Nestec Ltd.
authors.forename: Jalil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benyacoub
keywords: growing-up milk; growth; immune function; nutrition status; synbiotics