A New Synbiotic Can Increase Weight Gain in Infants with Cow's Milk Allergy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<em>Introduction:</em> Cow's milk protein allergy is the most common food allergy in many countries, with clinical importance in different aspects. Synbiotic, a combination of probiotics and prebiotics, could be effective in the management of this allergy through modulating the immune system and improving the nutritional status. <br/><em>Methods:</em> In this randomized, controlled trial, 32 infants with cow's milk allergy (with symptoms such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting, and colitis) were divided into two control and study groups. The study group received a synbiotic mixture containing 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Fructooligosaccharide (Protexin restore) for 4 weeks on a daily basis. Clinical symptoms and growth indices (weight, head circumference, and height) were recorded at the end of the first and third months. <br/><em>Results: </em>At the end of the third month, the effects of synbiotic administration on weight and head circumference were statistically significant (P=0.019 and P=0.035, respectively), although the subjects' height was not significantly affected (P=0.874). Also, there was not a significant association between the resolution of clinical symptoms (e.g., rectal hemorrhage, diarrhea, and vomiting) and height during the three-month follow-up period. <br/><em>Conclusion: </em>As the effects of probiotics are strain-dependent, performing clinical trials with different strain mixtures can increase our knowledge about the effects of these agents on allergic diseases. In this study, we showed that a mixture of seven probiotics and Fructooligosaccharide can increase weight gain and head circumference in children with cow's milk protein allergy.