title: Use of probiotics and prebiotics in infant feeding.
abstract: Gut colonization by beneficial bacteria in early life is necessary for establishing the gut mucosal barrier, maturation of the immune system and preventing infections with enteric pathogens. Mode of delivery, prematurity, breastfeeding, and use of antibiotics are some of many factors that have been described to influence early life colonization. Dysbiosis, the absence of normal colonization, is associated with many disease conditions. Pre- and probiotics are commonly used as supplementation in infant formula, such as prebiotic oligosaccharides for stimulation of Bifidobacterium growth aiming to mimic the high levels of these commensal bacteria in the gut of breastfed infants. Studies suggest that probiotic supplementation may be beneficial in prevention and management of disease (e.g., reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants and treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children). Although these studies show promising beneficial effects, the long-term risks or health benefits of pre- and probiotic supplementation are not clear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, N-5020 Bergen, Norway; Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, P.O. Box 1400, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: rjbe@helse-bergen.no.
authors.forename: Randi J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bertelsen
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology & Prevention, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, USA. Electronic address: ejensen@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB# 7445, 404A Rosenau Hall, 421 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, USA. Electronic address: ringelta@email.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ringel-Kulka
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000502:physiology; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000517:prevention & control; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000517:prevention & control; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000737:chemistry*; D007234:Infant, Premature; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000382:microbiology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: Formula; Gastroenteritis; Infants; NEC; Prebiotics; Probiotics