The Effect of <i>Bifidobacterium lactis</i> on the Growth of Infants: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Abstract

Background/Aims: Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the growth of the newborn infant. It is therefore essential that mothers who cannot breastfeed or choose not to are provided with alternatives that closely match the composition and functionality of breast milk. This study aimed to investigate the growth effects of probiotic-supplemented formulas on both healthy and vulnerable populations of infants. Methods: A meta-analysis of data from 5 randomized controlled clinical trials that included infants fed formulas containing a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-3446 was performed (n = 525). A sub-analysis was performed among infants of HIV-positive mothers (n = 120). Growth measurements (gain in weight and body mass index, BMI, from enrollment to 120 days) were compared between infants fed a formula containing B. lactis and those fed a control formula. Changes in length and Z-scores were also compared. Results: Formula with B.lactis was demonstrated to be at least as good as formula without B. lactis in the meta-analysis of 5 studies. The lower boundary of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the differences in mean weight gain (95% CI 0.09–2.93 g/day) was above the predefined non-inferiority margin of –3.0 g/day. Moreover, among infants with HIV-positive mothers, weight gain of those taking B. lactis was significantly higher than of those not taking B. lactis, by 3.1 g/day (95% CI 0.4–5.8 g/day, p = 0.0226) and the BMI gains were significantly higher, by 6.4 g/m²/day (95% CI 0.0.3–12.5 g/m²/day, p = 0.0400). The corresponding weight for age and BMI Z-scores were also significantly higher, by 0.37 (95% CI 0.03–0.71, p = 0.0308) and by 0.42 (95% CI 0.02–0.83, p = 0.0377), respectively, whereas differences in length gain or length-for-age Z-score were not significant. Among infants in the non-HIV mothers group, there were no significant differences between infants fed formulas with or without B. lactis, for any of the growth parameters. Conclusions: The analysis suggests that B. lactis may have a positive effect on growth in vulnerable populations, specifically in infants born to mothers with HIV.

Supplementation with Probiotics in the First 6 Months of Life Did Not Protect against Eczema and Allergy in At-Risk Asian Infants: A 5-Year Follow-Up

“…Protective effects could also be attributed to specific bacterial strains [3]; the 2 bacterial strains we used in our study may have had a possible antagonistic effect [7]. We also did not observe any difference in growth rate with the use of probiotics; this is in line with a pooled analysis of previous trials which showed no significant differences in birth weight, length and BMI between infants who received Bifidobacterium lactis- supplemented infant formula and those that did not [8]. Interestingly, our study suggests that later and long-term probiotic supplementation could reduce the risk of allergic diseases.…”

Probiotics in Gut-Bone Signaling

“…When germ-free flies are repopulated with probiotic lactobacilli strains the flies regain their ability to grow at normal rates [62]; and the IGF axis is restored [63]. In humans, Steenhout et al examined the impact of probiotic-supplemented formulas on growth in both healthy and vulnerable populations [64]. They concluded that the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis has a positive effect on growth in infants born to mothers with human immunodeficiency virus [64].…”

Effects of synbiotic supplementation on lactating mothers’ energy intake and BMI, and infants’ growth

“…Furthermore, in the mentioned study, the addition of either probiotic or synbiotic increased the villus height:crypt depth ratio and villus height in duodenum and resulted in increased digestive and absorptive function of the intestine and expression of brush border enzymes, and nutrient transport systems (Awad et al, 2009). In addition, the results of a pooled analysis of randomized controlled studies indicated that B. lactis may have had a potential benefit of improving growth in a population of vulnerable infants with mothers who were HIV positive where the risk of faltering growth is greater (Steenhout et al, 2009). Another study of preterm infants showed that supplementing infant formula with probiotic decreased intestinal permeability and led to an increase in head growth (Stratiki et al, 2007).…”