What the study found
Infant formula with probiotics changed the fecal microbiota of weaned infants compared with regular family food. The formula with probiotics, as well as formula without probiotics, was well tolerated and safe, and there was no difference in physical growth or development among participants.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the work contributes to understanding the effects of probiotics on human health. They also note that measures that support microbiota development and stability may be beneficial, and that probiotics are one such measure.
What the researchers tested
The researchers compared the microbial composition of infant feces after weaning to regular family food, formula with probiotics containing B. lactis BL and S. thermophilus, or formula without probiotics. They analyzed microbial fecal samples using molecular techniques based on rDNA.
What worked and what didn't
Both formulas, with and without probiotics, were well tolerated and safe. The probiotics in the formula were viable and could be cultured, but it was not possible to determine enrichment of B. lactis BL and S. thermophilus in the feces of infants who consumed the probiotics. The microbiota of children given either formula differed from that of children given regular food.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the fact that enrichment of the probiotic strains in feces could not be determined. No differences in growth or development were observed in this study, and the summary provided does not report longer-term outcomes.
Key points
- Weaned infants given formula with probiotics had a different fecal microbiota than infants given regular family food.
- Formula with probiotics and formula without probiotics were both reported as safe and well tolerated.
- No difference in physical growth or development was observed among the children studied.
- The probiotic strains B. lactis BL and S. thermophilus were viable and cultureable in the formula.
- The study could not determine whether those probiotic strains were enriched in infant feces.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Formula with probiotics changed infants’ gut microbiota
- Image credit:
- Photo by bongbabyhousevn on Pixabay
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