A history of expertise in prebiotic science in preterms

The intestinal microbiota play a key role in postnatal development of the immune system.¹Cebra JJ. Am J Clin Nutr, Published on 1999;69:1046s-1051s. ,²Kemp A et al. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. Published on 2003;4:74-80.  Supporting the development of a healthy microbiota and reducing the pathogen load early in life is important to secure a stable and healthy microbiota later in life.

Oligosaccharides are found in abundance within human milk; they are bioactive components that exert a prebiotic effect. In 1998, Danone Research & Innovation launched a unique and patented blend of prebiotics (short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides – scGOS:lcFOS [9:1]) that were designed to mimic the natural prebiotic effect of the oligosaccharides found in human milk.

Clinical trials in preterm infants have shown that the supplementation of scGOS:lcFOS  (9:1) to a preterm formula promotes a microbiota composition more similar to that of breastfed infants by:

• increasing the concentration and proportion of bifidobacteria³Boehm G, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal, Published on 2002; 86: f178-81
• discouraging the growth of potential pathogens⁴Boehm G, et al. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal, Published on 2002; 86: f178-81
  

• Promoting colonisation with healthy gut bacteria similar to human milk fed infants and reducing presence of potentially harmful bacteria⁵Knol J. et al. Acta Paediatr. Suppl Published on 2005;94:31-3. ,⁶Harmsen HJ, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. Published on 2000;30:61-7
• Lower incidence of infections⁷Bruzzese E, et al. Clin Nutr. Published on 2009;28:156-61.
• Increased stool frequency and softer stools⁸Dasopoulou M. et al. J Parent Enteral Nutr. Published on 2013:doi 10.1177/0148607113510182. ,⁹Mihatsch WA, et al. Acta Paediatr, Published on 2006; 95:843-8
• Reduced incidence of allergic symptoms, such as atopic dermatitis in term infants¹⁰Arslanoglu S, et al. J Nutr,  Published on 2008;138:1091-5