Adding prebiotic oligosaccharides* to infant formula may substantially reduce the incidence of allergies and infections in newborn babies and young children, claim researchers in the

Journal of Nutrition[1]. The benefits lasted long after the babies had stopped having formula and had been weaned and were still evident after two years.

Child healthcare specialists hailed the new study as very promising, building on earlier evidence that this specific mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides can encourage the balance of

healthy bacteria in the gut and so enhance the development of the immune system in early life. “Our hypothesis was that this mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides could mimic the immune modulatory function of human milk, leading to a reduction in the incidence of allergic

manifestations, such as atopic dermatitis, and infections in formula-fed infants,” said Dr Guido Moro, Professor of Neonatology at the Centre for Infant Nutrition, University of Milan,

Italy.

The results show that, compared to placebo, this prebiotic oligosaccharide-enriched milk:

• halved the cumulative incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD) (from 27.9 per cent to 13.6 per cent)
• reduced total infections by 30 per cent (from 5.9 episodes per infant to 4.1 per infant)
• reduced antibiotic prescriptions by a third (from 2.7 courses of antibiotics per infant to 1.8 per infant)
• reduced episodes of fever by 43 per cent (3.9 episodes per infant to 2.1 per infant).

The results clearly demonstrate that the protective effect of this prebiotic mixture is lasting beyond the intervention period, suggesting that an immune modulating effect through the

intestinal flora modification may be the principal mechanism of action.

“Although these oligosaccharides are not identical to those present in human milk, when added to formula milk and fed to pre-term[2] and term babies[3],[4],[5],they have been shown to

result in softer and more frequent stools, and create an intestinal flora similar to that found in breast-fed infants[6],[7]” concluded Professor Moro.

The study also shows a 63 per cent reduction in recurrent wheezing (from 20.6 per cent to 7.6 per cent), an 85 per cent reduction in allergic urticaria (from 10.3 per cent to 1.5 per cent)

and a reduction by a third in upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) (3.2 per infant to 2.1 per infant).

Breastfeeding remains the best form of nutrition for infants, providing natural insurance against the risk of allergy and common childhood infections. But for many mothers who cannot, or

choose not to breastfeed, this research suggests that using formula milk enriched with prebiotic oligosaccharides can help boost their babies’ resistance to common allergic reactions and

infections.

John Collard, clinical director, Allergy UK, commented:

“This study certainly appears to reinforce the importance of the right gut flora in the prevention of the development of some allergies, and the importance of prebiotics in the development

of the desirable gut flora.

“For mothers who cannot or choose not to breast feed, the use of appropriate prebiotics to establish healthy gut flora could well help in minimising the risk of atopic dermatitis

developing in susceptible infants using formula feeds. Reducing the risk of AD at this early stage can only be beneficial in terms of minimising infection and allergen entry, both of which

can lead to increasing allergy problems later on. The burden of allergic disease is considerable, both in terms of the numbers of children affected and, in many cases, the severity of

their problems. We must welcome any measures that have the potential to reduce the likelihood of allergic disease developing in infants.”

Allergies and infections are extremely common among young children, cause significant morbidity and distress to the individual and are an expensive burden on healthcare resources. For

instance, atopic dermatitis is estimated to affect one in five babies aged between 0 and six months[8], that is around 150,000 of new births annually[9].

Children experience, on average, between four and six upper respiratory tract infections each year[10] and 10 to 15 per cent of children suffer at least 12 colds per year[10]. Over 40 per

cent of children who suffer from cold symptoms are prescribed antibiotics[11]. The cost to the NHS of caring for childhood tonsillitis, just one aspect of URTIs, for example, has been

estimated at £60m per year[12].

“This is an exciting and promising study. The beneficial effect shown on the long-term risk of atopy could potentially improve the health of formula-fed infants,” said Dr Atul Singhal,

Deputy Director of the MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre at the Institute of Child Health in London.

“This simple and easy intervention has the potential to stem the tide of allergic symptoms and reduce childhood infections, which represent a constant cause for concern for parents and

healthcare professionals. However further research is needed to confirm the findings and I look forward to seeing more studies in this area.”

The patented prebiotic oligosaccharide used in the study, IMMUNOFORTIS, contains a unique mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)

that have been shown to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut2, 3, 5. It is believed that a healthy balance of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli is crucial for the

development of the immune system in early life.

IMMUNOFORTIS is the unique patented blend of prebiotic oligosaccharides used in this study. It is available in the UK in the Aptamil range of baby milks.