EFFECT OF LONG TERM CONSUMPTION OF INFANT FORMULAS WITH BIFIDOBACTERIA (B) AND S. THERMOPHILUS (ST) ON STOOL PATTERNS AND DIAPER RASH IN INFANTS

Abstract

82 Regular consumption of probiotic bacteria may bring about changes in gut microecology and GI function, which may alter stooling patterns. We prospectively studied the bowel habit of free living healthy infants receiving probiotic containing formulas. Non-breast fed infants attending day care centers were randomized to receive, in a double blind fashion, a standard milk based infant formula (Nestlé, USA) containing B, 108 CFU/g and ST, 107 CFU/g (High supplement -HS); or B, 107 CFU/g and ST, 107 CFU/g (Low supplement - LS); or formula with no supplement (placebo - P). Data, collected by a weekly phone call to the child's parent, and corroborated by weekly visits to day care centers included: Formula consumption, number of daily bowel movements (BM), stool consistency, changes in bowel habit, and diaper rash. Infants, who consumed formula for less than 2 weeks, were excluded from analysis. Results: 119 infants (39 on HS, 40 on LS, and 40 on P) enrolled at 6.8 ± 2.5 mo. of age were followed for a total of 24,845 subject days. There were no differences in age, gender, formula consumption, or length of study between groups. (Figure) Conclusion: Regular consumption of live probiotics resulted in a more desirable bowel habit characterized by higher prevalence of soft BM and lower prevalence of hard BM and a decreased daily frequency of BM. Additionally, it decreased the prevalence of diaper rash.FIG