Early dietary intervention with a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of allergic manifestations and infections during the first two years of life

Early Dietary Intervention With a Mixture of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Reduces the Incidence of Allergic Manifestations and Infections During the First Two Years of Life

Background

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third largest component of human milk having prebiotic potential and direct interaction with the immune cells. In this study, we determine the effect of prebiotic supplemented formula as compared to placebo-controlled formula against allergic manifestations and infections during the first two years of life.

Method

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in healthy term infants with a high risk of atopy. They were divided into two groups and received either prebiotic-supplemented (8 g/L scGOS/lcFOS) or placebo-supplemented (8 g/L maltodextrin) hypoallergenic formula during the first 6 months of life. Blind follow-up was conducted for the first 2 years of life to determine the incidence of allergic manifestations and infections.

Results

At the end of the two-year follow-up, the cumulative incidences of atopic dermatitis (AD), recurrent wheezing, and allergic urticaria were lower in the scGOS/lcFOS group (13.6,7.6, 1.5%, respectively) than in the placebo group (27.9, 20.6, and 10.3%, respectively; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Infants in the scGOS/lcFOS group had a significantly lower incidence of allergic manifestations and infections as compared to the placebo group.