Growth of Infants Fed Formula with Prebiotics and Probiotics

Abstract

BackgroundPre‐ and probiotics beneficially affect the host by improving the survival and establishment of live microbes from dietary sources in the gastrointestinal tract. We have previously demonstrated adequate growth in healthy term infants receiving a routine cow's milk‐based formula supplemented with a prebiotic blend of polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), or the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) added to partially or extensively hydrolyzed formulas.ObjectiveThe objective of the current study was to establish that an investigational study formula containing both pre‐ and probiotics provides adequate growth compared to the currently marketed formula.MethodsIn this multi‐center, double blind, controlled, parallel‐group, prospective study, infants received one of two formulas from 14‐120 days of age: marketed, routine infant formula with PDX/GOS (1:1 ratio, 4g/L) (Control, n=171), or a similar, investigational formula supplemented with PDX/GOS and LGG (1x106 CFU/g powder) (LGG, n=177). The primary outcome for this study was growth rate from 14 to 120 days. Growth rates from 14 to 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age were analyzed by gender using ANOVA.ResultsThere were no differences between groups in infant demographic or anthropometric characteristics at birth and there was no difference in study completion rate. There were no statistical differences detected in the rate of weight gain (g/day) from 14 to 120 days of age for male (Control, 31.3 ± 0.7; LGG, 31.6 ± 0.6) or female (Control, 27.3 ± 0.7; LGG, 25.7 ± 0.7) infants.ConclusionsResults of this study demonstrated that the investigational formula supplemented with PDX and LGG was associated with normal growth when fed to healthy term infants from 14 to 120 days of age.