An observational real-life study with a new infant formula in infants with functional gastro-intestinal disorders

Abstract

Functional gastro-intestinal disorders (FGIDs) impair the quality of life of many infants and their families. A formula with partial whey hydrolysate, starch, high magnesium content, prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide and galacto-oligosaccharide and the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was given during two weeks to 196 infants with at least two FGIDs. The efficacy was evaluated with the Cow Milk-associated Symptom Score (CoMiSS®) and quality of life with the QUALIN score. The formula was shown to decrease FGIDs within three days (decrease of CoMiSS −1.29 (3.15) (mean (SD), p < 0.0001) followed by an improvement of quality of life after seven days (increase QUALIN +1.4 (7.8); p: 0.008). Constipation decreased from 18.8% to 6.5% within three days. In combination with reassurance and guidance, the nutritional intervention was shown to be effective in infants with FGIDS in real-life circumstances.