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Exploration of basal immune parameters in healthy infants receiving an infant milk formula supplemented with

M Raes1, P A M J Scholtens, Ph Alliet

  • 1Virga Jesseziekenhuis, Pediatrics, Hasselt, Belgium. Marc.raes@virgajesse.be

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|December 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Supplementing infant formula with short-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) did not alter immune parameters in healthy infants. This study found no significant differences compared to standard formula or breastfeeding.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Nutrition

Background:

  • The developing immune system in infants is crucial for long-term health.
  • Infant milk formula (IMF) is a common alternative to breastfeeding.
  • Prebiotics like short-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) are added to some formulas to modulate gut microbiota and potentially immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of IMF supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS (9:1 ratio) on basal immune parameters in healthy term infants.
  • To compare the immune profiles of infants fed supplemented IMF versus standard IMF and breast milk.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 215 healthy term infants.
  • Infants received either breast milk or IMF with or without scGOS/lcFOS.
  • Serum immunoglobulins, lymphocyte subpopulations, and cytokines were analyzed at 8 and 26 weeks of age.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in measured immune parameters were observed between the IMF groups (with or without scGOS/lcFOS) at 8 and 26 weeks.
  • The study included a breastfed group as a reference, with 187 infants completing the study.
  • The supplementation of IMF with scGOS/lcFOS did not alter basal immune parameters compared to standard IMF or exclusive breastfeeding.

Conclusions:

  • Supplementation of infant formula with a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) does not appear to affect the basal immune system development in healthy infants during the first six months of life.
  • These findings suggest that the inclusion of scGOS/lcFOS at the tested concentration does not significantly modulate key immune markers in a generally healthy infant population.

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