A Synbiotic Infant Formula with High Magnesium Content Improves Constipation and Quality of Life
10.5223/pghn.2018.21.1.28
- Author:
Ioannis XINIAS
1
;
Antonis ANALITIS
;
Antigoni MAVROUDI
;
Ioannis ROILIDES
;
Maria LYKOGEORGOU
;
Varvara DELIVORIA
;
Vasilis MILINGOS
;
Mayra MYLONOPOULOU
;
Yvan VANDENPLAS
Author Information
1. 3rd Pediatric Department, Hippocration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Constipation;
Hydrolysate;
Magnesium;
Prebiotics;
Galacto-oligosaccharide;
Bifidobacterium animalis
- MeSH:
Constipation;
Humans;
Infant Formula;
Infant;
Magnesium;
Parents;
Prebiotics;
Quality of Life;
Synbiotics;
Whey
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2018;21(1):28-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of synbiotic formula with partial whey hydrolysate and high magnesium content in infants presenting with functional constipation. METHODS: Sixty-five infants with functional constipation were included. Forty infants were treated during one month with parental reassurance and the intervention formula and were compared to a control group of 25 infants treated with parental reassurance only. Parents completed a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire at baseline and during the last week of the study. RESULTS: At inclusion, stool characteristics and QoL were similar in both groups. The control group was slightly older than the intervention group (7.5±3.9 vs. 6.2±3.6 weeks). At onset, stool composition was “hard and tight” (Bristol stool scale 1 and 2) in all infants. After one month, stool composition remained unchanged in the control group except in two infants that developed “creamy” stools (Bristol stool scale type 3 and 4). In the intervention group, stools remained “hard and tight” in 27.5%, and became “creamy” in 47.5%, “loose” (Bristol stool scale type 5) in 22.5% and “watery” (Bristol stool type 6 and 7) in 2.5%. The benefit of the intervention formula was estimated to be “very important” in 70%. The median scores for QoL improved significantly in the intervention group for all parameters and for one in the control group. CONCLUSION: The intervention formula significantly improved functional constipation resulting in a better QoL of the parents and infants.
