Probiotics Bode Well in Infant Formulas

BALTIMORE--Consuming infant formula supplemented with probiotics may help with colic and irritability, in addition to reducing the use of antibiotics in infants, according to researchers from John Hopkins University School of Medicine (Am J Clin Nutr, 79, 2:261-7, 2004) (www.ajcn.org).

The randomized, prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled study involved 118 healthy infants between 3 and 24 months of age. All subjects were given either one of two standard milk-based formulas containing different concentrations of the probiotics Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus or an unsupplemented formula for 12 to 48 weeks. Both supplemented formulas were well tolerated, resulted in fewer reports of colic and irritability, and reduced antibiotic use compared to consumption of the unsupplemented formula, according to the study. No significant differences in growth, health care visits, number of days absent from daycare or other health variables between groups were reported.