EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM CONSUMPTION OF A WEANING FOOD SUPPLEMENTED WITH OLIGOFRUCTOSE, A PREBIOTIC, ON GENERAL INFANT HEALTH STATUS

Abstract

58 We conducted a double-blinded randomized controlled study to examine the effects of a pediatric weaning food supplemented with oligofructose (OF) on growth and health status in the pediatric population. Non breast-feeding infants attending daycare centers in Baltimore, MD and aged 4 months to 24 months were recruited and randomized to one of two groups; both received a standard infant cereal (Gerber, U.S.A.) for 6 months, with one group being supplemented with oligofructose (0.55 gram per 15 grams of cereal). Outcomes of this part of the study were general health status markers such as growth, frequency of reported febrile events, cold symptoms ("runny nose", "cough"), use of antibiotics and daycare absenteeism. The data was collected on a weekly basis by phone interview with the caregiver as well as by daycare observations. Standardized weight and length were obtained monthly. Subjects who consumed for less than 2 weeks were excluded from final statistical analysis. Results: 123 infants were enrolled and completed the study: 63 supplemented (S), 60 unsupplemented (US). Mean age at enrollment was 11.2±5.1 mo. and 12.3±5.6 mo. respectively. Average daily cereal intake was 32.6 gm in the supplemented group (representing 1.19 gm of OF) and 35.9 gm in the unsupplemented group. The children were followed for a total of 12,244 subject-days, 33.5 subject-years. No significant differences between the groups were noted with regards to age, gender, or length of study. (Table)Conclusions: Consumption of oligofructose-supplemented cereal resulted in adequate growth and was associated with reduction in febrile events, antibiotic use and day care absenteeism. Further studies are needed on the mechanisms by which prebiotics may yield these clinical benefits.TABLE