Effect of a fermented infant formula containing viable bifidobacteria on the fecal flora composition and pH of healthy full-term infants

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1995 Aug;21(2):177-81. doi: 10.1097/00005176-199508000-00009.

Abstract

We assessed the growth, tolerance, and acceptability as well as fecal flora composition and stool pH of 20 healthy full-term infants fed with a fermented whey-adapted infant formula containing viable bifidobacteria (10(6)/g of powder) during the first 2 months of life. This fermented infant formula, first biologically acidified by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus, was compared to a whey-adapted, nonacidified, low-phosphate infant formula in a double-blind, randomized controlled study. The results were compared to a control group (n = 14) of fully breast-fed infants. The fermented whey-adapted formula containing viable bifidobacteria induced a prevalence of colonization with bifidobacteria at 1 month of age similar to that of breast-fed infants (12/20 versus 8/14) but significantly higher than in the group fed the standard infant formula (4/20). The mean bacterial count of bifidobacteria was similar in all colonized infants; however, fecal pH was significantly lower in the breast-fed infants than in the nonacidified bottle-fed infants. This kind of infant formula was well tolerated and promoted a normal growth during the first 2 months.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Bifidobacterium* / isolation & purification
  • Breast Feeding
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Fermentation*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Infant
  • Infant Food*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins

Substances

  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins