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Growth during the first 6 months of life in infants using formula enriched with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: double‐blind, randomized trial
Author(s) -
Vendt N.,
Grünberg H.,
Tuure T.,
Malminiemi O.,
Wuolijoki E.,
Tillmann V.,
Sepp E.,
Korpela R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-277x.2006.00660.x
Subject(s) - medicine , lactobacillus rhamnosus , randomized controlled trial , gastroenterology , probiotic , defecation , infant formula , feces , pediatrics , weight gain , lactobacillus , body weight , bacteria , genetics , biology , paleontology
Background Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects on the immune system and gastrointestinal tract, but the impacts of their long‐term consumption on health and growth in early infancy are not well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)‐enriched formula on growth and faecal microflora during the first 6 months of life in normal healthy infants. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty healthy infants (up to 2 months) received LGG‐supplemented formula or regular formula in a double‐blind, randomized manner until the age of 6 months. Weight, length and head circumference were measured monthly and transformed into standard deviation scores (SDS). Faecal samples were obtained from a random sample of infants ( n = 25) at entry and at the end of the study. Results One hundred and five infants (51 in the LGG group) completed the study. Children receiving LGG‐supplemented formula grew better: their changes in their length and weight SDS (ΔSDS) at the end of the study were significantly higher than those receiving regular formula (0.44 ± 0.37 versus 0.07 ± 0.06, P < 0.01 and 0.44 ± 0.19 versus 0.07 ± 0.06, P < 0.005, respectively). The LGG group had a significant, higher defecation frequency 9.1 ± 2.6 versus 8.0 ± 2.8 ( P < 0.05). More frequent colonization with lactobacilli was found in the LGG group, 91% versus 76% ( P < 0.05) at the end of the study. Conclusions Infants fed with LGG‐enriched formula grew better than those fed with regular formula. Further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanism of LGG in infant growth.