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prebiotics for infants Important product information
the intervention group developed
AD, compared with 24 infants in the
control group. The author suggests
by Heather Caswell
that these results demonstrate, for
British Nutrition Foundation
the first time, the beneficial effects of
prebiotics in reducing the risk of de-
veloping AD in high risk infants (Moro
In recent years, the area of prebi- acknowledged that breastmilk is the
et al.2006).
otics and infant health has be-
best form of nutrition for infants there
Much research in the area of pre-
come a hot topic. Whilst research
is a need to support those infants that
biotics and infant health has focused
has in the past been fairly limited
are not breastfed, for whatever rea-
upon stool characteristics of infants.
in this area, there is now a growing
son. This has lead many manufactur-
A study by Bongers and colleagues
body of evidence documenting
ers of infant formulas to incorporate
(2007) investigated the effect of an Help ease digestive discomfort
the benefits of consuming prebiot-
prebiotics into formula milks, with the
infant formula containing a high
ics on infant health. In particular,
hope of achieving a similar effect on
concentration of palmitic acid and
much of the research has focused
the gut-microflora as that which is
a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccha-
on the effect of prebiotics added
observed in breastfed infants.
rides and partially hydrolyzed whey
to infant formulas.
Research into the effects of adding
protein, on the stool composition
NEW Aptamil Easy Digest
At birth, the gastrointestinal tract
prebiotics to formula milk on the in-
of constipated infants. Twenty four
testinal-microflora has already shown
is essentially germ free, and is colo-
infants, aged 3-20 weeks, completed is specially formulated for
positive results. A previous article in
nised from this point onwards. The
a cross-over study in which they were
Network Health Dietitians written by
‘intestinal-flora’ which develops from
randomised to either a prebiotic or
bottlefed babies suffering
Claire Williamson (Issue 16 October
birth onwards consists of both ‘friendly
standard infant formula for a period
2006: 14-19) highlighted a study in
bacteria’, including Lactobacillus
of three weeks, before crossing-over
from digestive discomfort
which an oligosaccharide mixture
and Bifidobacterium, and potentially
to the other infant formula for a
added to formula milk, and fed to
harmful bacteria such as E.coli, which
further three weeks. The researchers
babies over a 28 day period, resulted
– Contains partially digested whey protein,
may result in ill-health.
observed an increase in defecation
in a significantly greater proportion of
frequency in both groups but this was
reduced lactose and IMMUNOFORTIS
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacilli in
Defining Prebiotics
not significantly different between the
prebiotic oligosaccharides
stool samples from infants fed the pre-
A prebiotic can be defined as ‘a
two formulas. However, stool softness
biotic formula milk, compared with
– Helps ease digestion,
1,2
reduce regurgitation
1,2
non-digestible food ingredient that
was significantly greater following
control infants fed standard formula
beneficially affects the host by selec-
use of the prebiotic formula than
and promotes softer stools
1,2
milk (Moro et al. 2002).
tively stimulating the growth and/or
the standard formula, showing that
More recently, research has – Helps reduce episodes of crying in babies
activity of one or a limited number of
prebiotic formula milks may be useful
focused on the potential health
bacteria in the colon thereby im-
in treating constipation in formula-fed suffering from colic
2
benefits that adding prebiotics to
proving the host’s health’ (Gibson &
infants.
infant formula may have, with early
Roberfroid, 1995). In short, prebiotics
A second study also found simi-
research indicating benefits such as
are substances which reach the colon
lar results among a group of infants
reductions in the risk of infection, al-
randomised to either a formula con- Part of the Aptamil Range
unchanged and which act as a food
lergy development, and constipation.
taining a mixture of 0.4 g/100 ml of
for the beneficial bacteria, thereby
In one study, healthy term infants,
prebiotic oligosaccharides, or to the
of infant formulas
allowing them to increase in number.
who had a parental history of atopy,
same formula containing no added
Most commercial prebiotics are either
were given either a prebiotic-supple-
prebiotics. Stool frequency was sig-
oligosaccharides or dietary fibres.
mented or placebo-supplemented
nificantly higher in the infants taking
hypoallergenic formula for the first six
the prebiotic-enriched formula, and
Effects of infant feeding on gut-micro-
months of life. During the course of
stools were also softer in this group 8
9
flora
this period, the infants who received
when compared to the control group

1
0
5
There is strong indication that an
the prebiotic formula experienced
(Costalos et al. 2008).

N
o
:
infant’s diet plays a large part in
significantly fewer infections overall
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b
influencing gut microflora develop-
than the infants receiving the pla-
Conclusion

E
a
s
y

D
i
g
e
s
t

A
d
F
ment. Whilst human milk contains
cebo formula, and had fewer infec-
The results from the above studies
approximately one percent oligosac-
tions that required medical treatment
add to the growing evidence base Available from major supermarkets and pharmacies
i
l
u
p
a
:
charides, traditionally infant formulas
(Arslanoglu et al. 2007).
for a positive effect on prebiotics on

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contained almost negligible amounts.
A further study has shown that
the health of infants who are formula-
l
y

a
s

h
i
-
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e
s

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D
Because of this, the colons of breast-
prebiotics added to infant formula
fed. Research has suggested that not
c
i
a
n
s


S
u
p
p
fed infants have commonly been
may help to prevent the develop-
only do prebiotic infant formulas have
observed to have a greater propor-
m
ment of atopic dermatitis (AD). In a a positive effect on increasing the
3

m
tion of ‘friendly’ gut microflora than prospective, randomised trial, 102
number of ‘friendly’ bacteria in the
e
d
:

the colons of infants who are bottle term infants were bottle fed a formula
gut, but prebiotic infant formulas may B
l
e
fed (Bye, 2004). feed containing prebiotics, whilst 104
also help to alleviate other conditions
REFERENCES:1.Kennedy K et al.Double-blind,randomized trial of a synthetic triacylglycerol in formula-fed term infants:effects o
r
k

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e
a
l
t
h

D
i
e
t
i
m
The gut microflora is thought to infants were bottle fed a placebo for- as well. These results appear to sug-
on stool biochemistry,stool characteristics,and bone mineralization.Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:920-7.2.Savino F et al. Reduction
play a role in helping the growing ba- mula. All the infants in the study had gest that there is grounds for incorpo- of crying episodes owing to infantile colic:a randomized controlled study on the efficacy of a new infant formula.Eur J Clin Nutr
Call on our expertise
by’s immune system to develop, de- a family history of atopic eczema, rating prebiotics into infant formula
2006;60:1304-10.
for more information on
a
l
:

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fending the infant against potentially allergic rhinitis, or asthma, in either the milks, to try bring the oligosaccharide
IMPORTANT NOTICE:Breastfeeding is best for babies.Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed.
NEW Aptamil Easy Digest
dangerous microorganisms (Hanson & mother or father. Following six months composition of these feeds more in
Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months,as part of a mixed diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before
J
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e
:

2
9
7

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2
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6 months.It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor,midwife,health visitor,public health nurse,
Korotkova, 2002). Although it is widely of receiving the feed, ten infants in line with that of breastmilk.
dietitian,pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care.
08457 623 676
Milupa Aptamil,White Horse Business Park,Trowbridge,Wiltshire BA14 0XB. www.aptamil4hcps.co.uk
30 NHDmag.com May ‘08 - issue 34
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