RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the impact of an infant formula supplemented with 1.34 g/L oligosaccharides mixture (galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides,GOS+FOS) on growth,stool characteristics and fecal beneficial bacteria content in healthy infants.Methods 25 formula-fed (FF) infants and 29 breast-fed (BF) infants within 3 weeks after birth were included and followed up.FF infants were exclusively fed with GOS+FOS supplemented formula at the median age of 13d (1-27d).Body weight and head circumference at 6 and 12 weeks were measured.The frequency,consistency,and color of the infant's stool,and occurrences of spit-up or vomiting during the study period were recorded daily by the parents.Stool samples were collected at 6 and 12 weeks of age,and then subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the enumeration of lactobacillus,bifidobacteria,Bifidobacterium longum,Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium adolescentis.Results No difference in daily weight gain was detected between the two groups (33.56 ± 7.03g vs.31.18 + 6.91g,P=0.22)during the observation phase from 6 to 12 weeks.FF infants had less frequent and firmer stools at 6 weeks than BF infants,and they both had similar stool frequency,color and consistency at the end of study.FF infants had less fecal Bifidobacterium,B.longum and B.breve at 6 weeks,but those differences became less significant at 12 weeks with more increase in fecal B.longum and B.breve levels in FF infants during the follow up.Conclusions The GOS+FOS supplemented formula provides adequate nutrition for growth,and promotes soft stools and intestinal bifidogenic effects in healthy infants.