Intestinal flora in breast- and bottle-fed infants

Abstract

We verified whether an adapted formula, which presents poly-oligosaccharides containing maltose, promotes intestinal implantation of bacterial microflora to the extent that breast milk does, as an epidemiological link exists between newborn feeding methods and infant health. Stool specimens were taken and cultured at the fourth day of life from vaginally born neonates. Twenty-two were breast-fed and 20 were fed with formula. In breast-fed infants, the Bifidobacterium was significantly prevalent expressed in percentage (47.6% vs 15%) and in mean bacterial fecal counts/g (7.1 +/- 0.8 vs 5.3 +/- 0.6). Enterococci prevailed in formula-fed infants (mean counts 6.7 +/- 0.9 vs 7.4 +/- 0.5). Of interest is the significant and simultaneous presence of Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides in breast-fed infants. Our study indicates that flora with a diet-dependent pattern is present from the fourth day of life. These results support a preference for breast feeding over formula feeding, even though renewed.

The Role of Intestinal Barrier Function in Early Life in the Development of Colitis

“…Studies have shown differences in the composition of microbiota between breast-fed and formula-fed babies (Rubaltelli et al, 1998;Wold & Adlerberth, 2000). This lack of human milk oligosaccharides in formula-fed pre-term babies may also contribute to NEC pathogenesis.…”

Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli

“…The present study was designed to investigate the effect of only 0.24 g/dL quite different from those fed with a standard infant for mula [16] . Both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are beneficial to infants.…”

Nutritional Programming of Probiotics to Promote Health and Well-Being

“…Consequently, strict anaerobic bacterial population dominated by bifidobacteria, Clostridium and Bacteroides can be established [55][56][57]. Within the first year of life, the microflora is highly dynamic, but by the age of two years with the introduction of solid foods, the colonic microbiota is considered complete -it stabilizes and resembles that of the adult [58][59][60].…”