Early Dietary Intervention with a Mixture of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Reduces the Incidence of Allergic Manifestations and Infections during the First Two Years of Life

Abstract

A mixture of neutral short-chain galactooligosaccharides (scGOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (lcFOS) has been shown to reduce the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) and infectious episodes during the first 6 mo of life. This dual protection occurred through the intervention period. The present study evaluated if these protective effects were lasting beyond the intervention period. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, healthy term infants with a parental history of atopy were fed either a prebiotic-supplemented (8 g/L scGOS/lcFOS) or placebo-supplemented (8 g/L maltodextrin) hypoallergenic formula during the first 6 mo of life. Following this intervention period, blind follow-up continued until 2 y of life. Primary endpoints were cumulative incidence of allergic manifestations. Secondary endpoints were number of infectious episodes and growth. Of 152 participants, 134 infants (68 in placebo, 66 in intervention group) completed the follow-up. During this period, infants in the scGOS/lcFOS group had significantly lower incidence of allergic manifestations. Cumulative incidences for AD, recurrent wheezing, and allergic urticaria were higher in the placebo group, (27.9, 20.6, and 10.3%, respectively) than in the intervention group (13.6, 7.6, and 1.5%) (P < 0.05). Infants in the scGOS/lcFOS group had fewer episodes of physician-diagnosed overall and upper respiratory tract infections (P < 0.01), fever episodes (P < 0.00001), and fewer antibiotic prescriptions (P < 0.05). Growth was normal and similar in both groups. Early dietary intervention with oligosaccharide prebiotics has a protective effect against both allergic manifestations and infections. The observed dual protection lasting beyond the intervention period suggests that an immune modulating effect through the intestinal flora modification may be the principal mechanism of action.

Do prebiotics reduce the number of fever episodes in healthy children in their first year of life: a randomised controlled trial

“…Previous studies included infants with an increased risk for atopy, probably prone to respiratory infections. Both previous studies (17,18) showed a decrease in respiratory infections at 2 years of age indeed. The present Multicenter Infection Prevention Study population is a healthy population: all children were identified by preventive health care visits, and had a low risk for allergy.…”

“…The frequency of the suspected causes of fever and associated symptoms was more or less equally distributed as in other relevant studies (17,18,21) . However, we did not find any differences in the suspected causes of fever between the PG and CG.…”

“…Studies have suggested a role of prebiotics in the prevention of atopic dermatitis (17,20,28) (http://www.cdc.gov/asthma).…”

The bifidogenic effect of inulin and oligofructose and its consequences for gut health

“…A follow-up study showed that this effect persisted for a year without dietary intervention (Arslanoglu et al, 2008). The authors speculate that an immune modulating effect through the bifidogenic change in faecal microbiota composition may be responsible for this prolonged protective effect.…”

Development of the Immune System - Early Nutrition and Consequences for Later Life

“…Furthermore, clinical trials have been performed with the scGOS/lcFOS mixture in children at high risk for allergies. A reduction in the incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) (Moro, Arslanoglu et al 2006) and the incidence of allergic manifestations during the first 6 months of life (Arslanoglu, Moro et al 2007) was observed, furthermore this reduction lasted at least until 2 years of age (Arslanoglu, Moro et al 2008).…”