METHODS: The children (1-3 years old) were randomized to one of two intervention YCFs (with presence or absence of prebiotics and n-3 LCPUFAs) during 52 weeks of intervention. Additional stratified analyses evaluated the growth patterns of underweight, overweight, or stunted children.
RESULTS: No apparent differences in anthropometric measurements were observed between the intervention groups. In both YCF intervention groups, mean WAZ, LAZ and BAZ development was indicative of adequate growth during the intervention period. Stratified analyses showed stable WAZ and BAZ development among children with a healthy weight or overweight at baseline. Among underweight and stunted children, normalization in mean weight (∼1 SD) and length (∼0.8 SD) gain, respectively, was observed.
CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that consumption of YCF, either or not containing prebiotics and n-3 LCPUFAs, is associated with adequate growth among young children. This association may depend on the child's baseline nutritional status. Future studies to assess the potential role of YCF in supporting adequate weight/length gain among children at risk for undernutrition are warranted.
METHODS: In a randomised double-blind controlled, parallel, multicountry intervention study, 767 healthy children, ages 11 to 29 months, received GUM with scGOS/lcFOS/LCPUFAs (the active group, n = 388), GUM without scGOS/lcFOS/LCPUFAs (the control group, n = 379), or cow's milk (n = 37) for 52 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the number of episodes of upper respiratory tract infections or gastrointestinal infections based on a combination of subject's illness symptoms reported by the parents during the intervention period.
RESULTS: Children in the active group compared with the control group had a decreased risk of developing at least 1 infection (299/388 [77%] vs 313/379 [83%], respectively, relative risk 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-1.00; logistic regression P = 0.03). There was a trend toward a reduction (P = 0.07) in the total number of infections in the active group, which was significant when confirmed by one of the investigators (268/388 [69%] vs 293/379 [77%], respectively, relative risk 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97; P = 0.004, post hoc). More infectious episodes were observed in the cow's milk group, when compared with both GUM groups (34/37 [92%] vs 612/767 [80%], respectively, relative risk 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.28).
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in children to show a reduced risk of infection following consumption of GUM supplemented with scGOS/lcFOS/n-3 LCPUFAs. The borderline statistical significance justifies a new study to confirm this finding.