Skip to main content

Advertisement

Association between funding source, methodological quality and research outcomes in randomized controlled trials of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics added to infant formula: A Systematic Review

BMC Medical Research Methodology volume 13, Article number: 137 (2013) Cite this article

Article metrics

Abstract

Background

There is little or no information available on the impact of funding by the food industry on trial outcomes and methodological quality of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics research in infants. The objective of this study was to compare the methodological quality, outcomes of food industry sponsored trials versus non industry sponsored trials, with regards to supplementation of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics in infant formula.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted to identify published and unpublished randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Cochrane methodology was used to assess the risk of bias of included RCTs in the following domains: 1) sequence generation; 2) allocation concealment; 3) blinding; 4) incomplete outcome data; 5) selective outcome reporting; and 6) other bias. Clinical outcomes and authors’ conclusions were reported in frequencies and percentages. The association between source of funding, risk of bias, clinical outcomes and conclusions were assessed using Pearson’s Chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test. A p-value < 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

Sixty seven completed and 3 on-going RCTs were included. Forty (59.7%) were funded by food industry, 11 (16.4%) by non-industry entities and 16 (23.9%) did not specify source of funding. Several risk of bias domains, especially sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding, were not adequately reported. There was no significant association between the source of funding and sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding and selective reporting, majority of reported clinical outcomes or authors’ conclusions. On the other hand, source of funding was significantly associated with the domains of incomplete outcome data, free of other bias domains as well as reported antibiotic use and conclusions on weight gain.

Conclusion

In RCTs on infants fed infant formula containing probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics, the source of funding did not influence the majority of outcomes in favour of the sponsors’ products. More non-industry funded research is needed to further assess the impact of funding on methodological quality, reported clinical outcomes and authors’ conclusions.

Open Peer Review reports

Background

There are numerous studies that explore the relationship between industrial sponsorship of biomedical research and published outcomes [1]. Several reviews have documented how trials funded by industry are more likely to report results in favour of the sponsor’s products [2–5]. These reviews focused on trials sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry. Few reviews have explored the impact of funding by the food industry on outcomes of research trials [6, 7]. A review by Nkansah et al. also found that majority of trials investigating the effects of calcium supplementation in healthy children were industry funded and all supported calcium supplementation, in favour of the sponsor [8]. Similarly, a review by Lesser et al. found that scientific nutrition related articles (intervention trials, observational studies and scientific reviews) on common consumed beverages (soft drinks, juice, milk) funded by the food industry, were more likely to be favourable to the sponsor than articles that did not have industry funding [6].

Reporting only positive outcomes in a research trial significantly reduces a sponsors’ financial risk. Pressure to show a food product causes favourable outcomes in a specific population, may result in biases in trial design (methodology) and reporting of outcomes in industry sponsored research. This type of bias in nutrition research could adversely affect public health. Results from nutrition research also influence policy formulation, professional dietary guidelines, design of public health interventions and regulation of food product health claims. In addition, findings from nutrition research often receive publicity from the media, which influences consumer behaviour [6].

More studies are needed to explore the relationship between the food industry and nutrition research [7]. There is little or no information available on the impact of funding by the food industry on trial outcomes and methodological quality of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics research in infants. There are no systematic reviews that have explored if sources of funding affects outcomes and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted on infants given probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics supplemented infant formula.

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms” which when administered in adequate amounts may confer a health benefit to the host [9]. The main probiotic organisms that are currently used worldwide belong to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria and are found in the gastrointestinal microflora [9]. The probiotics preparations of interest for this review are those added to infant formulas. Prebiotics are non- digestible food ingredients that may benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon and improving the host’s health [10–12]. The most widely studied prebiotics are galactooligosaccharides (GOS), inulin and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) [13, 14]. GOS, FOS and inulin are added to different foods as fat and sugar replacements to improve texture or for their functional benefits [10, 15, 16]. When probiotics and prebiotics are administered simultaneously, the combination is termed Synbiotics.

The aim of this review was to explore whether financial sponsorship by the food industry affects outcomes and methodological quality of trials on synbiotics, probiotics or prebiotics used in infants. Methodological quality may be compromised when insufficient information is provided regarding sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, bias introduced from other sources and incomplete outcome reporting.

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to compare the methodological quality and outcomes of food industry sponsored trials versus non industry sponsored trials with regards to supplementation of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics in infant formula.

Hypothesis

The source of funding in research trials using probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics supplemented formula in infants is associated with outcomes in favour of the sponsor’s products and authors’ conclusions.

Methods

Criteria for considering studies for this review

Types of studies

All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted from 1980 to 2012 (irrespective of language) on synbiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics added to infant formula were included. Study participants were healthy full term infants (>37 weeks gestation or > 2.5 kg birth weight, 0–12 months old), preterm infants (born < 37 weeks gestation), low birth weight (<2.5 kg at birth) and extreme low birth weight infants (<1000 g at birth). Infants were fed either infant formula (preterm or full term formula), mixed feeds (breast milk with infant formula) with added synbiotics, probiotics or prebiotics or conventional infant formula with or without placebo. RCTs were excluded if they included infants with cardiac defects, pulmonary diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, major congenital abnormalities or chromosomal abnormalities. Commentaries, editorials, letters to the editor and studies that were not RCTs were excluded.

Types of outcome

The outcomes included: 1) Source of funding, 2) Methodological quality (Risk of bias), 3) Clinical outcomes in RCTs, 4) Conclusions (Overall study conclusions and conclusions on reported clinical outcomes) and 5) Association between source of funding and methodological quality, clinical outcomes and author’s conclusions.

Search methods for identification of studies

A literature search regardless of language was conducted on electronic databases including The Cochrane CENTRAL Register for Controlled Trials (2012), EMBASE (1980+), Scopus (1980 to 2012), EBSCO host (1960 to 2012), PUBMED / MEDLINE (1966 to 2012), OVID (1950 to 2012), SPORTDiscus (1960 to 2012), Web of Science (1970 to 2012), Science Direct (1950 to 2012), CINAHL (1980 to 2012), Science citation index (1970 to 2012), Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences literature (LILACS) (1965 to 2012), NLMGateway (1950–1966). RCTs published in non-English language journals were translated by independent translators who were familiar with the subject matter.

The search strategy used to search PUBMED for studies on full term infants is: (synbiotic* and probiotic* OR prebiotic*) AND (FOS or fructooligosaccharide or inulin or GOS or galactooligosaccharide) AND (infant formula* OR infant feeding OR formula OR formula milk) AND (infant* or baby or babies) NOT (preterm or premature or low birth weight babies or allergy or eczema) AND (randomized controlled trial* OR controlled clinical trial* OR random allocation*) Limits: Humans. This search strategy was modified to search other electronic databases and for studies on preterm infants.

A hand search was conducted on abstracts of major conference proceedings such as the Pediatric Academic Society meetings from 1990 (http://www.pas-meetings.org), cross checked references cited in RCTs and in recent reviews (published from 2003 to 2012) for additional RCTs not identified by electronic searches and speciality journals which were not included in any database such as Pediatrika and Chinese Journal of Microecology. To identify on-going and unpublished trials, experts in the field, manufacturers of infant formula containing probiotics and prebiotics were contacted. Web sites of companies that have conducted or were conducting RCTs on probiotics and prebiotics were searched.

Examples: Pfizer (http://www.pfizerpro.com/clinicaltrials), Chris Hansen Laboratory (http://www.chr-hansen.com/research_development/documentation.html). A search was conducted on prospective trial registries such as World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal (http://www.who.int/trialsearch), Clinical Trials.gov register (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), Current Controlled Trials metaRegister of Controlled Trials [mRCT] (http://www.controlled-trials.com/mrct) and http://www.clinicaltrialresults.org.

Selection of studies

One reviewer (MM) independently reviewed all abstracts, citations and identified potentially eligible RCTs. The full reports of eligible RCTs were retrieved by one reviewer (MM) and the pre-specified selection criteria applied independently by two reviewers (MM, ML) using a study eligibility form designed for this review. If more than one publication of a study existed, all reports of the study were grouped together under one name. Any disagreements between the reviewers were resolved through discussion. Unresolved disagreements were resolved by a third party (RB).

Data extraction and management

Two reviewers (MM, ML) independently extracted data using a pretested data extraction form that was designed for this review. The reviewers (MM, ML) cross checked data and resolved any differences through discussion. Unresolved disagreements were resolved by a third party (RB). One reviewer (MM) entered the data in SPSS version 19 and the other reviewer (AM) conducted quality control checks. The data obtained from each RCT included:

A) Source of funding or support of RCTs

The source of funding or support of the RCTs was defined and categorized as:

  1. 1)

    Industry included:

    • For – profit company, donation of study product by a for – profit company which manufactured the study product,

    • Not – for profit company that promoted the consumption of synbiotics, probiotics or prebiotics,

    • Mixed sources (for-profit company and other source).

  2. 2)

    Non – industry included:

    • Government: National, regional (provincial, county) government body with NO industry association.

    • Foundation / Philanthropies: examples include Rockefeller foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

    • Institution: University, Research centres, teaching and academic hospitals.

    • Other source of funding.

  3. 3)

    None: No source of funding was disclosed in study report.

B) Assessment of methodological quality of evidence (Risk of bias)

Two reviewers (MM, ML) independently assessed the risk of bias of included RCTs as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews for Interventions according to the following 6 components: 1) sequence generation; 2) allocation concealment; 3) blinding; 4) incomplete outcome data; 5) selective outcome reporting; and 6) other sources of bias [17]. Each domain was assessed as having either a low risk of bias, high risk of bias or unclear to permit judgment. Any disagreements regarding risk of bias were resolved through discussion between MM, ML and RB. The association between risk of bias (domains) and type of funding (industry, non – industry, none declared) was explored.

C) Assessment of clinical outcomes

The primary and secondary outcomes from each study report were evaluated and categorized as:

  1. 1.

    Positive: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation had a statistically significant effect, p < 0.05.

Examples of positive outcomes included: adequate growth (weight gain, length gain, head circumference), tolerance (no feeding problems), microflora (increase in colony forming units of bifidobacteria, lactobacillus, decrease in pathogens), decreased infections (decrease in frequency, incidence of infections).

  1. 2)

    Negative: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation had a statistically significant effect in an adverse event / negative outcome such as weight loss, diarrhoea, p < 0.05

  2. 3)

    Neutral: synbiotic, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation did not have a statistically significant effect, p > 0.05, no significant differences between study groups. Clinical outcomes included: growth parameters, gastrointestinal parameters (tolerance to feed, stool characteristics, microflora); immune response, infections and mortality.

D) Overall study conclusions and conclusions on reported outcomes

The authors’ overall study conclusion and conclusions on reported clinical outcomes were evaluated and categorized as:

  1. 1.

    Positive: The author’s conclusion preferred the sponsor’s products over control/placebo. Interpretation of data supported the sponsor’s products over control.

  2. 2.

    Negative: The sponsors’ products were not preferred over control / placebo. Interpretation of data did NOT support the sponsors’ products.

  3. 3.

    Neutral: The author’s conclusion was neutral to the sponsor’s products.

  4. 4.

    No clear conclusion was offered by author.

In this review, the “conclusions on reported outcomes” referred to the authors’ conclusions on individual reported RCTs outcomes. Examples include conclusions on weight gain, length gain, vomiting, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis.

Statistical Analysis

All the outcomes in this review were dichotomous and are described in frequencies and percentages. The association between source of funding (industry/non-industry/ none) and methodological quality (low/unclear/high risk of bias), clinical outcomes and author’s conclusions were assessed using both the Pearson’s Chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS version 19 statistical software was used. A statistician (AM) was consulted throughout the review process.

Ethics

The Human Research Ethics Committee at Stellenbosch University, South Africa reviewed the protocol for this review, ruled that all data to be collected for this review was from the public domain and was therefore exempt from ethical approval.

Results

Results of the search and description of studies

Electronic search of available databases yielded 290 citations. After reading titles and abstracts, duplicate reports were removed, 226 articles were screened and 100 articles were excluded. A hand search yielded 6 more articles. Potentially relevant full text reports were retrieved, reviewed for eligibility and a further 56 RCTs were excluded. Studies that had multiple publications were considered as one trial. Sixty seven RCTs and three on-going RCTs were included in this review. (Table 1) The selection process is shown in Figure 1. Table 2 gives a list of 56 RCTs which were excluded for: use of exclusive breast or non-formula milk (8 RCTs), type of feed not clear (11 RCTs), probiotic administered in saline, water or other fluid (4 RCTs), no use of probiotic or prebiotic (6 RCTs), not RCT (12 studies), different inclusion criteria (10 studies), lack of suitable translator (2 RCTs), data presentation inappropriate (1 RCT) and out of date [published before1980] (2 RCTs). Three excluded RCTs were unpublished trials.

Table 1 Included studies and on-going studies
Full size table
Figure 1
figure1

Process of study selection.

Full size image
Table 2 Table of 56 Excluded studies with reasons for exclusion
Full size table

Characteristics of included studies

Table 1 lists included and on-going trials. Sixty seven RCTs were included, 45 (67.2%) on full term infants, 22 (32.8%) on preterm infants. All included RCTs were published trials. All trials were conducted on healthy full term or preterm infants and used standard (full term or preterm) infant formula (Table 3).

Table 3 Source of funding and study participants
Full size table

Funding

Out of 67 trials, 40 (59.7%) were funded by food industry, 11 (16.4%) were funded by non-industry entities, and 16 (23.9%) did not specify their source of funding, 10 RCTs on preterm infants, 6 RCTs on full infants (Table 3).

Methodological quality (Risk of bias)

In this review, several domains were not adequately reported, particularly, the domains of sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding. Out of 67 RCTs, 25 (37.3%) failed to report sequence generation, 35 (52.2%) failed to report allocation concealment and 36 (53.7%) did not report blinding. Majority of the RCTs were assessed as having a low risk of bias in the domains of incomplete outcome data 52 (77.6%), selective reporting 57(85.1%) and other bias 53 (79.1%) (Table 4).

Table 4 Methodological quality (Risk of bias)
Full size table

Outcomes and study conclusions

In most RCTs, majority of outcomes were assessed as neutral, (intervention did not have a statistically significant effect, p > 0.05). A total of 49 (73.1%) of RCTs had a positive overall study conclusion in favour of the sponsors’ products, while 7 (10.4%) had negative¸ 7 (10.4%) had neutral conclusions and 4 (6%) had no clear conclusion. The included RCTs either did not provide any conclusion on their reported clinical outcomes or, they provided a positive conclusion for their reported outcome in-favour of the sponsors’ products. Few RCTS had either negative or neutral conclusions on their reported clinical outcomes (Table 5).

Table 5 Reported outcomes and conclusions
Full size table

Association between source of funding (sponsor) and methodological quality of studies

There was no significant association between the source of funding and the domains of sequence generation (Chi – square p = 0.435, Fisher exact p = 0.465), allocation concealment (Chi – square p = 0.315, Fisher exact p = 0.338), blinding (Chi – square p = 0.395, Fisher exact p = 0.457) and selective reporting (Chi – square p = 0.224, Fisher exact p = 0.188) (Table 6).

Table 6 Association between Sponsor and methodological quality (risk of bias)
Full size table

There was a significant association between funding and the domains of incomplete outcome data (Chi – square p = 0.023, Fisher exact p = 0.005) and free of other bias (Chi – square p = 0.033, Fisher exact p = 0.038) (Table 6). The association between source of funding and incomplete outcome data was such that industry-funded trials had significantly less missing data than non-industry funded trials. The association between source of funding and free of other bias (such as outcomes bias) was such that a significantly higher percentage of industry-funded trials were free of other bias compared to non-industry-funded trials.

Association between source of funding (sponsor) and clinical outcomes

There was no significant association between source of funding and reporting of clinical outcomes: Growth parameters, stool characteristics, microflora, infections (Tables 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11), immune parameters, adverse events and mortality (data not shown). There was a significant association between the source of funding and reporting of antibiotic use in formula fed infants (Chi-square p = 0.031, Fisher exact p = 0.039) such that industry funded trials were more likely to decrease the use of antibiotics than non-industry funded trials (Table 11).

Table 7 Association between Sponsor and clinical outcomes: Growth
Full size table
Table 8 Association between Sponsor and clinical outcomes: Tolerance symptoms
Full size table
Table 9 Association between sponsor and clinical outcomes: stool characteristics
Full size table
Table 10 Association between sponsor and clinical outcomes: Microflora
Full size table
Table 11 Association between sponsor and clinical outcomes: Necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis and antibiotic use
Full size table

Association between source of funding (sponsor) and overall study conclusion

There was no significant association between sources of funding and overall study conclusion (Chi-square p = 0.505, Fisher exact p = 0.373). Majority of RCTs, 49 (73.1%), had a positive study conclusion; 32 (47.8%) of these RCTs, were industry sponsored, 7 (10.4%) non- industry and 10 (14.9%) which did not declare their source of funding (Table 12). A sensitivity analysis was conducted with respect to combining industry sponsored studies with those that had not declared their source of funding. There was no change in the results. There was no significant association between source of funding and overall study conclusion (Chi-square p = 0.483, Fisher exact p = 0.425).

Table 12 Association between sponsor and OVERALL study conclusion
Full size table

Association between source of funding (sponsor) and conclusion on reported clinical outcomes

There was a significant association between source of funding and conclusion on weight gain (Chi-square p = 0.037, Fisher exact p = 0.024) such that industry-funded trials were more likely to report positive conclusions on weight gain than non-industry-funded trials (Table 13). There was no significant association between source of funding and conclusion on other reported clinical outcomes (Tables 14, 15, 16 and 17).

Table 13 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Growth parameters
Full size table
Table 14 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Tolerance symptoms
Full size table
Table 15 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Stool characteristics
Full size table
Table 16 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Microflora
Full size table
Table 17 Association between sponsor and conclusion on reported outcome: Necrotising Enterocolitis Sepsis and antibiotic use
Full size table

Discussion

This review revealed that majority of RCTs (from 1980 to 2012) on infants fed formula supplemented with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics are funded by the food industry. This is consistent with the trend that biomedical research is increasingly being funded by industry [1, 2] There was a trend that more RCTs on preterm infants failed to report their source of funding. The reason(s) for this trend needs to be explored further.

Cochrane guidelines were used to assess the risk of bias of included RCTs. The reporting of several domains was however suboptimal particularly sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding domains. Considering completed data, there was no significant association between funding source and methodological quality of RCTs in the domains of sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding and selective reporting. There was a significant association between funding and methodological quality of RCTs in the domains of incomplete outcome data and free of other bias. Industry funded trials had significantly less missing data than non-industry funded trials. A higher percentage of industry funded trials were free of other bias compared to non-industry funded trials. More industry sponsored trials had low risk of bias in 5 out of 6 domains, even though our results did not show a statistical significant association between funding and methodological quality in most domains. Our results confirm findings from previous reviews on infants given enteral feeds with probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics [157–159].

There was no significant association between funding source and clinical outcomes or majority of authors’ conclusions. There was a significant association between funding and conclusion on weight gain. Regardless of the reported clinical outcomes, nearly all RCTs in this review reported neutral results. That is supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics did not have a significant effect or there were no significant differences between study groups of infants given supplemented formula or placebo. Our findings confirm the results of two systematic reviews which found that supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics did not offer any distinct advantage over placebo [158, 159]. However, results of this review did not agree with two nutrition related reviews or reviews on pharmaceutical industry supported RCTs, which reported that industry sponsored RCTs had results and conclusions in favour of the sponsor [2–4, 6, 8, 160–162]. Despite reporting neutral outcomes, authors from industry sponsored RCTs had a tendency to advocate for the consumption of the sponsors’ products. Similar findings were reported by Nestle, who reported that research investigators “who received company grants tended to publish results, give advice and prescribe in favour of the sponsor.” This applied to research that was supported by pharmaceutical and food industries [163].

Effects of sponsorship on overall study conclusion have been equally documented in biomedical literature. Reviews by Lessor and Nkansah reported positive conclusions in favour of the sponsor [6, 8]. Although no statistically significant association between funding and authors conclusion was found in this review, more than 70% of RCTs reported positive conclusions, 47.8% of these were industry sponsored. Often, these positive conclusions in the RCTs were not supported by the reported data as demonstrated by the neutral clinical outcomes. Our findings are consistent with those of previous reviews, which found that, results from RCTs may be accurate, but authors may distort the meaning of the results, present conclusions that are more favourable, and that were not supported by the data presented [2, 5, 163]. Even meta – analyses were not spared from this trend [2, 5, 163]. Despite overwhelming positive overall study conclusions, majority of RCTs did not have any conclusion on their reported clinical outcomes. The RCTs that reported any conclusion on their clinical outcomes, majority were positive in favour of the sponsors’ products.

Limitations

This review did not document the role of the sponsor in study design, data collection, and analysis. Few RCTs reported this. More detailed documentation and disclosure in RCT reports would help evaluate if there was an association between funding and reported outcomes or conclusions. Many RCTs had missing data especially on the domains of sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding. Attempts were made to contact authors for missing information but none responded. The sample size (number of RCTs) was small and skewed towards industry.

Conclusion

This study assessed the impact of funding by the food industry on trial outcomes and methodological quality of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics research in infants. There was no significant association between source of funding and methodological quality of study in the domains of sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding. Industry funded trials had less missing data and were free of other bias than non-industry funded trials.

There was no significant association between funding and majority of reported clinical outcomes or authors’ conclusions. However, there was a significant association between funding source and reported antibiotic use and conclusion on weight gain. Majority of RCTs were industry funded, more non-industry funded research is needed to further assess the impact of funding on methodological quality, reported clinical outcomes and authors’ conclusions.

References

  1. 1.

    Khan NA, Lombeida JI, Singh M, Spencer HJ, Torralba KD: Association of industry funding with the outcome and quality of randomized controlled trials of drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2012, 64: 2059-2067. 10.1002/art.34393.

  2. 2.

    Lexchin J: Those who have the gold make the evidence: How the pharmaceutical industry biases the outcomes of clinical trials of medications. Sci Eng Ethics. 2012, 18: 247-261. 10.1007/s11948-011-9265-3.

  3. 3.

    Sismondo S: Pharmaceutical company funding and its consequences: A qualitative systematic review. Contemp Clin Trials. 2008, 29: 109-113. 10.1016/j.cct.2007.08.001.

  4. 4.

    Bekelman JE, Li Y, Gross CP: Scope and impact of financial conflicts of interest in biomedical research: A systematic review. JAMA. 2003, 289: 454-466. 10.1001/jama.289.4.454.

  5. 5.

    Als-Nielsen B, Chen W, Gluud C, Kjaergard LL: Association of funding and conclusions in randomized drug trials: A reflection of treatment effect or adverse events?. J Am Med Assoc. 2003, 290: 921-928. 10.1001/jama.290.7.921.

  6. 6.

    Lesser LI, Ebbeling CB, Goozner M, Wypij D, Ludwig DS: Relationship between funding source and conclusion among nutrition-related scientific articles. PLoS Med. 2007, 4: 0041-0046. 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040041.

  7. 7.

    Katan MB: Does industry sponsorship undermine the integrity of nutrition research?. PLoS Med. 2007, 4: 0003-0004. 10.1371/journal.pmed.0040003.

  8. 8.

    Nkansah N, Nguyen T, Iraninezhad H, Bero L: Randomized trials assessing calcium supplementation in healthy children: Relationship between industry sponsorship and study outcomes. Public Health Nutr. 2009, 12: 1931-1937. 10.1017/S136898000900487X.

  9. 9.

    Shah NP: Functional cultures and health benefits. Int Dairy J. 2007, 17: 1262-1277. 10.1016/j.idairyj.2007.01.014.

  10. 10.

    Gibson GR, Delzenne N: Inulin and oligofructose: New scientific developments. Nutr Today. 2008, 43: 54-59. 10.1097/01.NT.0000303311.36663.39.

  11. 11.

    Gibson GR: Fibre and effects on probiotics (the prebiotic concept). Clin Nutr Suppl. 2004, 1: 25-31.

  12. 12.

    Tuohy KM, Probert HM, Smejkal CW, Gibson GR: Using probiotics and prebiotics to improve health. DDT. 2003, 8: 692-700. 10.1016/S1359-6446(03)02746-6.

  13. 13.

    Macfarlane GT, Steed H, Macfarlane S: Bacterial metabolism and health-related effects of galactooligosaccharides and other prebiotics. J Appl Microbiol. 2008, 104: 305-344.

  14. 14.

    Losada MA, Olleros T: Towards a healthier diet for the colon: The influence of fructooligosaccharides and lactobacilli on intestinal health. Nutr Res. 2002, 22: 71-84. 10.1016/S0271-5317(01)00395-5.

  15. 15.

    Watzl B, Girrbach S, Roller M: Inulin, oligofructose and immunomodulation. Br J Nutr. 2005, 93 (Suppl S1): S49-S55.

  16. 16.

    Torres DP, Gonçalves M, Teixeira JA, Rodrigues LR: Galactooligosaccharides: Production, properties, applications, and significance as prebiotics. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2010, 9: 438-454. 10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00119.x.

  17. 17.

    Higgins JPT, Green S: Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. 2008, John Wiley & Sons Ltd: Chichester, West Sussex

  18. 18.

    Allen SJ, Jordan S, Storey M, Thornton CA, Gravenor M, Garaiova I, Plummer SF, Wang D, Morgan G: Dietary supplementation with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria is well tolerated and not associated with adverse events during late pregnancy and early infancy. J Nutr. 2010, 140: 483-488. 10.3945/jn.109.117093.

  19. 19.

    Soh SE, Aw M, Gerez I, Chong YS, Rauff M, Ng YPM, Wong HB, Pai N, Lee BW, Shek LP: Probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life in at risk asian infants - effects on eczema and atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year. Clin Exp Allergy. 2009, 39: 571-578. 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03133.x.

  20. 20.

    Jacobs S: The use of probiotics to reduce the incidence of sepsis in premature infants. 2007, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN126070001444415 26/02/2007 [http://www.anzctr.org.au]

  21. 21.

    Alliet P, Scholtens P, Raes M, Hensen K, Jongen H, Rummens J, Boehm G, Vandenplas Y: Effect of prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharide, long-chain fructo-oligosaccharide infant formula on serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Nutrition. 2007, 23: 719-723. 10.1016/j.nut.2007.06.011.

  22. 22.

    Scholtens PAMJ, Alliet P, Raes M, Alles MS, Kroes H, Boehm G, Knippels LMJ, Knol J, Vandenplas Y: Fecal secretory immunoglobulin A is increased in healthy infants who receive a formula with short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides. J Nutr. 2008, 138: 1141-1147.

  23. 23.

    Urban MF, Bolton KD, Mokhachane M, Mphahlele RM, Bomela HN, Monaheng L, Beckh-Arnold E, Cooper PA: Growth of infants born to HIV-infected women when fed a biologically acidified starter formula with and without probiotics. South Afr J Clin Nutr. 2008, 21: 28-32.

  24. 24.

    Patole S: A randomized placebo controlled trial on the safety and efficacy of a probiotic product in reducing all case mortality and definite necrotising enterocolitis in preterm very low birth weight neonates. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. 2009, ACTRN12609000374268 27/05/2009 [http://www.anzctr.org.au]

  25. 25.

    Ashley C, Johnston WH, Harris CL, Stolz SI, Wampler JL, Berseth CL: Growth and tolerance of infants fed formula supplemented with polydextrose (PDX) and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS): Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012, 11: 38-10.1186/1475-2891-11-38. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-38

  26. 26.

    Velaphi SC, Cooper PA, Bolton KD, Mokhachane M, Mphahlele RM, Beckh-Arnold E, Monaheng L, Haschke-Becher E: Growth and metabolism of infants born to women infected with human immunodeficiency virus and fed acidified whey-adapted starter formulas. Nutrition. 2008, 24: 203-211. 10.1016/j.nut.2007.11.002.

  27. 27.

    Underwood M: The impact of oligosaccharides and bifidobacteria on the intestinal microflora of Premature infants. Clinical trials registry. NCT00810160 05/11/2009 [http://www.clinicaltrials.gov]

  28. 28.

    Bakker-Zierikzee AM, Alles MS, Knol J, Kok FJ, Tolboom JJM, Bindels JG: Effects of infant formula containing a mixture of galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides or viable bifidobacterium animalis on the intestinal microflora during the first 4 months of life. Br J Nutr. 2005, 94: 783-790. 10.1079/BJN20051451.

  29. 29.

    Bakker-Zierikzee AM, Van Tol EAF, Kroes H, Alles MS, Kok FJ, Bindels JG: Faecal SIgA secretion in infants fed on pre- or probiotic infant formula. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2006, 17: 134-140. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2005.00370.x.

  30. 30.

    Vendt N, Grünberg H, Tuure T, Malminiemi O, Wuolijoki E, Tillmann V, Sepp E, Korpela R: Growth during the first 6 months of life in infants using formula enriched with lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: Double-blind, randomized trial. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2006, 19: 51-58. 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2006.00660.x.

  31. 31.

    Bettler J, Euler AR: An evaluation of the growth of term infants fed formula supplemented with fructo-oligosaccharide. Int J Probiotics Prebiotics. 2006, 1: 19-26.

  32. 32.

    Vlieger AM, Robroch A, Van Buuren S, Kiers J, Rijkers G, Benninga MA, Te Biesebeke R: Tolerance and safety of lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei in combination with bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis in a prebiotic-containing infant formula: A randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2009, 102: 869-875. 10.1017/S0007114509289069.

  33. 33.

    Brunser O, Figueroa G, Gotteland M, Haschke-Becher E, Magliola C, Rochat F, Cruchet S, Palframan R, Gibson G, Chauffard F, Haschke F: Effects of probiotic or prebiotic supplemented milk formulas on fecal microbiota composition of infants. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006, 15: 368-376.

  34. 34.

    Weizman Z, Asli G, Alsheikh A: Effect of a probiotic infant formula on infections in child care centers: Comparison of two probiotic agents. Pediatrics. 2005, 115: 5-9.

  35. 35.

    Bruzzese E, Volpicelli M, Squeglia V, Bruzzese D, Salvini F, Bisceglia M, Lionetti P, Cinquetti M, Iacono G, Amarri S, Guarino A: A formula containing galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides prevents intestinal and extra-intestinal infections: An observational study. Clin Nutr. 2009, 28: 156-161. 10.1016/j.clnu.2009.01.008.

  36. 36.

    Weizman Z, Alsheikh A: Safety and tolerance of a probiotic formula in early infancy comparing two probiotic agents: A pilot study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006, 25: 415-419. 10.1080/07315724.2006.10719554.

  37. 37.

    Chouraqui JP, Van Egroo LD, Fichot MC: Acidified milk formula supplemented with bifidobacterium lactis: Impact on infant diarrhea in residential care settings. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004, 38: 288-292. 10.1097/00005176-200403000-00011.

  38. 38.

    Xiao-Ming B, Zhou X-Y, Zhao W-H, Yu W-L, Pan W, Zhang W-L, Wu S-M, Van Beusekom CM, Schaafsma A: Supplementation of milk formula with galacto-oligosaccharides improves intestinal micro-flora and fermentation in term infants. Chin Med J. 2004, 117: 927-931.

  39. 39.

    Chouraqui JP, Grathwohl D, Labaune JM, Hascoet JM, De Montgolfier I, Leclaire M, Giarre M, Steenhout P: Assessment of the safety, tolerance, and protective effect against diarrhea of infant formulas containing mixtures of probiotics or probiotics and prebiotics in a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008, 87: 1365-1373.

  40. 40.

    Xiao-Ming B, Li J, Feng Z-T, Shi S-Y, Lu Y-D, Chen R, Zhou X-Y: Low level of galacto-oligosaccharide in infant formula stimulates growth of intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. World J Gastroenterol. 2008, 14: 6564-6568. 10.3748/wjg.14.6564.

  41. 41.

    Cooper PA, Bolton KD, Mokhachane M, Velaphi SC, Mphahlele RM, Bomela HN, Monaheng L, Roux P, Haschke-Becher E: Growth of infants born to HIV-positive mothers fed a whey-adapted acidifed starter formula with prebiotics and nucleotides. South Afr J Clin Nutr. 2010, 23: 90-95.

  42. 42.

    Ziegler E, Vanderhoof JA, Petschow B, Mitmesser SH, Stolz SI, Harris CL, Berseth CL: Term infants fed formula supplemented with selected blends of prebiotics grow normally and have soft stools similar to those reported for breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007, 44: 359-364. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31802fca8c.

  43. 43.

    Costalos C, Kapiki A, Apostolou M, Papathoma E: The effect of a prebiotic supplemented formula on growth and stool microbiology of term infants. Early Hum Dev. 2008, 84: 45-49. 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.03.001.

  44. 44.

    Bin-Nun A, Bromiker R, Wilschanski M, Kaplan M, Rudensky B, Caplan M, Hammerman C: Oral probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight neonates. J Pediatr. 2005, 147: 192-196. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.03.054.

  45. 45.

    Decsi T, Arató A, Balogh M, Dolinay T, Kanjo AH, Szabó É, Várkonyi Á: Randomised placebo controlled double blind study on the effect of prebiotic oligosaccharides on intestinal flora in healthy infants. Orv Hetil. 2005, 146: 2445-2450.

  46. 46.

    Boehm G, Lidestri M, Casetta P, Jelinek J, Negretti F, Stahl B, Marini A: Supplementation of a bovine milk formula with an oligosaccharide mixture increases counts of faecal bifidobacteria in preterm infants. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2002, 86: F178-F181. 10.1136/fn.86.3.F178.

  47. 47.

    Boehm G, Fanaro S, Jelinek J, Stahl B, Marini A: Prebiotic concept for infant nutrition. Acta Paediatr. 2003, 91: 64-67.

  48. 48.

    Knol J, Boehm G, Lidestri M, Negretti F, Jelinek J, Agosti M, Stahl B, Marini A, Mosca F: Increase of faecal bifidobacteria due to dietary oligosaccharides induces a reduction of clinically relevant pathogen germs in the faeces of formula-fed preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2005, 94: 31-33. 10.1080/08035320510043529.

  49. 49.

    Fanaro S, Jelinek J, Stahl B, Boehm G, Kock R, Vigi V: Acidic oligosaccharides from pectin hydrolysate as new component for infant formulae: Effect on intestinal flora, stool characteristics, and pH. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005, 41: 186-190. 10.1097/01.mpg.0000172747.64103.d7.

  50. 50.

    Chrzanowska-Liszewska D, Seliga-Siwecka J, Kornacka MK: The effect of lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplemented enteral feeding on the microbiotic flora of preterm infants-double blinded randomized control trial. Early Hum Dev. 2012, 88: 57-60. 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2011.07.002.

  51. 51.

    Fanaro S, Marten B, Bagna R, Vigi V, Fabris C, Peña-Quintana L, Argüelles F, Scholz-Ahrens KE, Sawatzki G, Zelenka R, Schrezenmeir J, De Vrese M, Bertino E: Galacto-oligosaccharides are bifidogenic and safe at weaning: A double-blind randomized multicenter study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009, 48: 82-88. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31817b6dd2.

  52. 52.

    Costalos C, Skouteri V, Gounaris A, Sevastiadou S, Triandafilidou A, Ekonomidou C, Kontaxaki F, Petrochilou V: Enteral feeding of premature infants with saccharomyces boulardii. Early Hum Dev. 2003, 74: 89-96. 10.1016/S0378-3782(03)00090-2.

  53. 53.

    Gibson RA, Barclay D, Marshall H, Moulin J, Maire J, Makrides M: Safety of supplementing infant formula with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and bifidobacterium lactis in term infants: A randomised controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2009, 101: 1706-1713. 10.1017/S0007114508084080.

  54. 54.

    Dani C, Biadaioli R, Bertini G, Martelli E, Rubaltelli FF: Probiotics feeding in prevention of urinary tract infection, bacterial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: A prospective double-blind study. Biol Neonate. 2002, 82: 103-108. 10.1159/000063096.

  55. 55.

    Gil-Campos M, López MÁ, Rodriguez-Benítez MV, Romero J, Roncero I, Linares MD, Maldonado J, López-Huertas E, Berwind R, Ritzenthaler KL, Navas V, Sierra C, Sempere L, Geerlings A, Maldonado-Lobón JA, Valero AD, Lara-Villoslada F, Olivares M: Lactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716 is safe and well tolerated in infants of 1–6 months of age: A randomized controlled trial. Pharmacol Res. 2012, 65: 231-238. 10.1016/j.phrs.2011.11.016.

  56. 56.

    Indrio F, Riezzo G, Raimondi F, Bisceglia M, Cavallo L, Francavilla R: The effects of probiotics on feeding tolerance, bowel habits, and gastrointestinal motility in preterm newborns. J Pediatr. 2008, 152: 801-806. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.11.005.

  57. 57.

    Hascoët J, Hubert C, Rochat F, Legagneur H, Gaga S, Emady-Azar S, Steenhout PG: Effect of formula composition on the development of infant gut microbiota. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011, 52: 756-762. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182105850.

  58. 58.

    Indrio F, Riezzo G, Raimondi F, Francavilla R, Montagna O, Valenzano ML, Cavallo L, Boehm G: Prebiotics improve gastric motility and gastric electrical activity in preterm newborns. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009, 49: 258-261. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e3181926aec.

  59. 59.

    Holscher HD, Czerkies LA, Cekola P, Litov R, Benbow M, Santema S, Alexander DD, Perez V, Sun S, Saavedra JM, Tappenden KA: Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 enhances intestinal antibody response in formula-fed infants: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012, 36 (Suppl 1): 106S-117S.

  60. 60.

    Kapiki A, Costalos C, Oikonomidou C, Triantafyllidou A, Loukatou E, Pertrohilou V: The effect of a fructo-oligosaccharide supplemented formula on gut flora of preterm infants. Early Hum Dev. 2007, 83: 335-339. 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2006.07.003.

  61. 61.

    Holscher HD, Faust KL, Czerkies LA, Litov R, Ziegler EE, Lessin H, Hatch T, Sun S, Tappenden KA: Effects of prebiotic-containing infant formula on gastrointestinal tolerance and fecal microbiota in a randomized controlled trial. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012, 36 (Suppl 1): 95S-105S.

  62. 62.

    Kitajima H, Sumida Y, Tanaka R, Yuki N, Takayama H, Fujimura M: Early administration of bifidobacterium breve to preterm infants: Randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1997, 76: F101-F107. 10.1136/fn.76.2.F101.

  63. 63.

    Kim JY, Kwon JH, Ahn SH, Lee SI, Han YS, Choi YO, Lee SY, Ahn KM, Ji GE: Effect of probiotic mix (bifidobacterium bifidum, bifidobacterium lactis, lactobacillus acidophilus) in the primary prevention of eczema: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010, 21: e386-e393. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2009.00958.x.

  64. 64.

    Lin H, Hsu C, Chen H, Chung M, Hsu J, Lien R, Tsao L, Chen C, B- S: Oral probiotics prevent necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight preterm infants: A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2008, 122: 693-700. 10.1542/peds.2007-3007.

  65. 65.

    Knol J, Scholtens P, Kafka C, Steenbakkers J, Groß S, Helm K, Klarczyk M, Schöpfer H, Böckler H, Wells J: Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides: More like breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005, 40: 36-42. 10.1097/00005176-200501000-00007.

  66. 66.

    Mihatsch W, Hoegel J, Pohlandt F: Prebiotic oligosaccharides reduce stool viscosity and accelerate gastrointestinal transport in preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2006, 95: 843-848. 10.1080/08035250500486652.

  67. 67.

    Magne F, Hachelaf W, Suau A, Boudraa G, Bouziane-Nedjadi K, Rigottier-Gois L, Touhami M, Desjeux J, Pochart P: Effects on faecal microbiota of dietary and acidic oligosaccharides in children during partial formula feeding. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008, 46: 580-588. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318164d920.

  68. 68.

    Mihatsch WA, Vossbeck S, Eikmanns B, Hoegel J, Pohlandt F: Effect of bifidobacterium lactis on the incidence of nosocomial infections in very-low-birth-weight infants: A randomized controlled trial. Neonatology. 2010, 98: 156-163. 10.1159/000280291.

  69. 69.

    Mah KW, Chin VIL, Wong WS, Lay C, Tannock GW, Shek LP, Aw MM, Chua KY, Wong HB, Panchalingham A, Lee BW: Effect of a milk formula containing probiotics on the fecal microbiota of asian infants at risk of atopic diseases. Pediatr Res. 2007, 62: 674-679. 10.1203/PDR.0b013e31815991d5.

  70. 70.

    Millar MR, Bacon C, Smith SL, Walker V, Hall MA: Enteral feeding of premature infants with lactobacillus GG. Arch Dis Child. 1993, 69 (Suppl 5): 483-487.

  71. 71.

    Stansbridge EM, Walker V, Hall MA, Smith SL, Millar MR, Bacon C, Chen S: Effects of feeding premature infants with lactobacillus GG on gut fermentation. Arch Dis Child. 1993, 69 (Suppl 5): 488-492.

  72. 72.

    Maldonado J, Lara-Villoslada F, Sierra S, Sempere L, Gómez M, Rodriguez JM, Boza J, Xaus J, Olivares M: Safety and tolerance of the human milk probiotic strain lactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 in 6-month-old children. Nutrition. 2010, 26: 1082-1087. 10.1016/j.nut.2009.08.023.

  73. 73.

    Modi N, Uthaya S, Fell J, Kulinskaya E: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of the effect of prebiotic oligosaccharides on enteral tolerance in preterm infants (ISRCTN77444690). Pediatr Res. 2010, 68: 440-445.

  74. 74.

    Moro G, Minoli I, Mosca M, Fanaro S, Jelinek J, Stahl B, Boehm G: Dosage-related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructooligosaccharides in formula-fed term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002, 34: 291-295. 10.1097/00005176-200203000-00014.

  75. 75.

    Moro GE, Mosca F, Miniello V, Fanaro S, Jelinek J, Stahl B, Boehm G: Effects of a new mixture of prebiotics on faecal flora and stools in term infants. Acta Paediatr. 2003, 91 (Suppl 441): 77-79.

  76. 76.

    Mohan R, Koebnick C, Schildt J, Schmidt S, Mueller M, Possner M, Radke M, Blaut M: Effects of bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 supplementation on intestinal microbiota of preterm infants: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study. J Clin Microbiol. 2006, 44: 4025-4031. 10.1128/JCM.00767-06.

  77. 77.

    Moro GE, Stahl B, Fanaro S, Jelinek J, Boehm G, Coppa GV: Dietary prebiotic oligosaccharides are detectable in the faeces of formula-fed infants. Acta Paediatr. 2005, 94 (Supple 449): 27-30.

  78. 78.

    Reuman PD, Duckworth DH, Smith KL, Kagan R, Bucciarelli RL, Ayoub EM: Lack of effect of lactobacillus on gastrointestinal bacterial colonization in premature infants. Pediatr Infect Dis. 1986, 5: 663-668. 10.1097/00006454-198611000-00013.

  79. 79.

    Moro G, Arslanoglu S, Stahl B, Jelinek J, Wahn U, Boehm G: A mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis during the first six months of age. Arch Dis Child. 2006, 91: 814-819. 10.1136/adc.2006.098251.

  80. 80.

    Arslanoglu S, Moro GE, Boehm G: Early supplementation of prebiotic oligosaccharides protects formula-fed infants against infections during the first 6 months of life. J Nutr. 2007, 137: 2420-2424.

  81. 81.

    Arslanoglu S, Moro GE, Schmitt J, Tandoi L, Rizzardi S, Boehm G: Early dietary intervention with a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides reduces the incidence of allergic manifestations and infections during the first two years of life. J Nutr. 2008, 138: 1091-1095.

  82. 82.

    Van Hoffen E, Ruiter B, Faber J, M’Rabet L, Knol EF, Stahl B, Arslanoglu S, Moro G, Boehm G, Garssen J: A specific mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides induces a beneficial immunoglobulin profile in infants at high risk for allergy. Allergy. 2009, 64: 484-487. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01765.x.

  83. 83.

    Schouten B, van Esch BCAM, Kormelink TG, Moro GE, Arslanoglu S, Boehm G, Knippels LMJ, Redegeld FA, Willemsen LEM, Garssen J: Non-digestible oligosaccharides reduce immunoglobulin free light-chain concentrations in infants at risk for allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011, 22: 537-542. 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.01132.x.

  84. 84.

    Riskin A, Hochwald O, Bader D, Srugo I, Naftali G, Kugelman A, Cohen E, Mor F, Kaufman B, Shaoul R: The effects of lactulose supplementation to enteral feedings in premature infants: A pilot study. J Pediatr. 2010, 156: 209-214. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.09.006.

  85. 85.

    Piemontese P, Giannì ML, Braegger CP, Chirico G, Grüber C, Riedler J, Arslanoglu S, van Stuijvenberg M, Boehm G, Jelinek J, Roggero P: Tolerance and safety evaluation in a large cohort of healthy infants fed an innovative prebiotic formula: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2011, 6 (11): e28010-10.1371/journal.pone.0028010. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028010

  86. 86.

    Rougé C, Piloquet H, Butel M, Berger B, Rochat F, Ferraris L, Des Robert C, Legrand A, De La Cochetière M, N’Guyen J, Vodovar M, Voyer M, Darmaun D, Rozé J: Oral supplementation with probiotics in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009, 89: 1828-1835. 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26919.

  87. 87.

    Puccio G, Cajozzo C, Meli F, Rochat F, Grathwohl D, Steenhout P: Clinical evaluation of a new starter formula for infants containing live bifidobacterium longum BL999 and prebiotics. Nutrition. 2007, 23: 1-8. 10.1016/j.nut.2006.09.007.

  88. 88.

    Sari FN, Dizdar EA, Oguz S, Erdeve O, Uras N, Dilmen U: Oral probiotics: Lactobacillus sporogenes for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low-birth weight infants: A randomized, controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011, 65: 434-439. 10.1038/ejcn.2010.278.

  89. 89.

    Rautava S, Arvilommi H, Isolauri E: Specific probiotics in enhancing maturation of IgA responses in formula-fed infants. Pediatr Res. 2006, 60: 221-224. 10.1203/01.pdr.0000228317.72933.db.

  90. 90.

    Rautava S, Salminen S, Isolauri E: Specific probiotics in reducing the risk of acute infections in infancy - A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Nutr. 2009, 101: 1722-1726. 10.1017/S0007114508116282.

  91. 91.

    Stratiki Z, Costalos C, Sevastiadou S, Kastanidou O, Skouroliakou M, Giakoumatou A, Petrohilou V: The effect of a bifidobacter supplemented bovine milk on intestinal permeability of preterm infants. Early Hum Dev. 2007, 83: 575-579. 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2006.12.002.

  92. 92.

    Rinne MM, Gueimonde M, Kalliomäki M, Hoppu U, Salminen SJ, Isolauri E: Similar bifidogenic effects of prebiotic-supplemented partially hydrolyzed infant formula and breastfeeding on infant gut microbiota. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2005, 43: 59-65. 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.07.005.

  93. 93.

    Westerbeek EAM, Van Den Berg JP, Lafeber HN, Fetter WPF, Boehm G, Twisk JWR, Van Elburg RM: Neutral and acidic oligosaccharides in preterm infants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010, 91: 679-686. 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28625.

  94. 94.

    Westerbeek EAM, Hensgens RL, Mihatsch WA, Boehm G, Lafeber HN, Van Elburg RM: The effect of neutral and acidic oligosaccharides on stool viscosity, stool frequency and stool pH in preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2011, 100: 1426-1431. 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02295.x.

  95. 95.

    Westerbeek EAM, Van Den Berg A, Lafeber HN, Fetter WPF, Van Elburg RM: The effect of enteral supplementation of a prebiotic mixture of non-human milk galacto-, fructo- and acidic oligosaccharides on intestinal permeability in preterm infants. Br J Nutr. 2011, 105: 268-274. 10.1017/S0007114510003405.

  96. 96.

    Saavedra JM, Abi-Hanna A, Moore N, Yolken RH: Long-term consumption of infant formulas containing live probiotic bacteria: Tolerance and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004, 79: 261-267.

  97. 97.

    Yong G, Fang H, Shuang-Gen M, Guo-Cheng X: Effect of bifid triple viable on feeding intolerance in preterm infants with very low birth weight. [Clinical study on the effect of probiotic preparation on feeding intolerance in preterm infants with very low birth weight. (from Chinese translation)]. Chinese Journal of Microecology. 2009, 21: 451-452.

  98. 98.

    Scalabrin DM, Johnston WH, Hoffman DR, P’Pool VL, Harris CL, Mitmesser SH: Growth and tolerance of healthy term infants receiving hydrolyzed infant formulas supplemented with lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Clin Pediatr. 2009, 48: 734-744. 10.1177/0009922809332682.

  99. 99.

    Scalabrin DMF, Mitmesser SH, Welling GW, Harris CL, Marunycz JD, Walker DC, Bos NA, Tölkkö S, Salminen S, Vanderhoof JA: New prebiotic blend of polydextrose and galacto-oligosaccharides has a bifidogenic effect in young infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012, 54: 343-352. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318237ed95.

  100. 100.

    Schmelzle H, Wirth S, Skopnik H, Radke M, Knol J, Böckler HM, Brönstrup A, Wells J, Fusch C: Randomized double blind study of the nutritional efficacy and bifidogenicity of a new infant formula containing partially hydrolyzed protein, a high beta-palmitic acid level and nod digestible oligosaccharides. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003, 36: 342-351.

  101. 101.

    Agarwal R, Sharma N, Chaudhry R, Deorari A, Paul VK, Gewolb IH, Panigrahi P: Effects of oral lactobacillus GG on enteric microflora in low-birth-weight neonates. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003, 36: 397-402. 10.1097/00005176-200303000-00019.

  102. 102.

    Al-Hosni M, Duenas M, Hawk M, Stewart LA, Borghese RA, Cahoon M, Atwood L, Howard D, Ferrelli K, Soll R: Probiotics-supplemented feeding in extremely low-birth-weight infants. J Perinatol. 2012, 32: 253-259. 10.1038/jp.2011.51.

  103. 103.

    Fengjuan Z, Zheng-yun S, Beilei C: Oral probiotics and immune function and digestive tract of premature children. (Chinese). J Shandong Univ Health Sci. 2008, 46 (11): 1-6.

  104. 104.

    Morisset M, Aubert-Jacquin C, Soulaines P, Moneret-Vautrin D, Dupont C: A non-hydrolyzed, fermented milk formula reduces digestive and respiratory events in infants at high risk of allergy. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011, 65: 175-183. 10.1038/ejcn.2010.250.

  105. 105.

    Huet F, Lachambre E, Beck L, Van Egroo L, Sznajder M: Evaluation of a formula with low protein content and supplemented with probiotic agents after breast milk weaning. Arch Pediatr. 2006, 13: 1309-1315. 10.1016/j.arcped.2006.06.025.

  106. 106.

    Agustina R, Lukito W, Firmansyah A, Suhardjo HN, Murniati D, Bindels J: The effect of early nutritional supplementation with a mixture of probiotic, prebiotic, fiber and micronutrients in infants with acute diarrhea in Indonesia. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007, 16: 435-442.

  107. 107.

    Akiyama K, Hosono S, Takahashi E, Ishizeki S, Takigawa I, Imura S, Yamauchi K, Yaeshima T, Hayasawa H, Shimamura S: Effects of oral administration of bifidobacterium breve on development of intestinal microflora in extremely premature infants. Acta Neonatol Jpn. 1994, 30: 130-137.

  108. 108.

    Grześkowiak Ł, Grönlund M, Beckmann C, Salminen S, von Berg A, Isolauri E: The impact of perinatal probiotic intervention on gut microbiota: Double-blind placebo-controlled trials in Finland and Germany. Anaerobe. 2012, 18: 7-13. 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2011.09.006.

  109. 109.

    Andrews BF, Cook LN: Low birth-weight infants fed a new carbohydrate-free formula with different sugars, I. Growth and Clinical Course. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969, 22: 845-850.

  110. 110.

    Baldeón ME, Naranjo G, Granja D: Effect of infant formula with probiotics on intestinal microbiota. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2008, 58: 5-11.

  111. 111.

    Campeotto F, Suau A, Kapel N, Magne F, Viallon V, Ferraris L, Waligora-Dupriet A, Soulaines P, Leroux B, Kalach N, Dupont C, Butel M: A fermented formula in pre-term infants: Clinical tolerance, gut microbiota, down-regulation of faecal calprotectin and up-regulation of faecal secretory IgA. Br J Nutr. 2011, 105: 1843-1851. 10.1017/S0007114510005702.

  112. 112.

    Kuitunen M, Kukkonen K, Savilahti E: Pro- and prebiotic supplementation induces a transient reduction in hemoglobin concentration in infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009, 49: 626-630. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31819de849.

  113. 113.

    Patole SK, Muller R: Does carboxymethylcellulose have a role in reducing time to full enteral feeds in preterm neonates?. Int J Clin Pract. 2005, 59: 544-548.

  114. 114.

    Bongers MEJ, De Lorijn F, Reitsma JB, Groeneweg M, Taminiau JAJM, Benninga MA: The clinical effect of a new infant formula in term infants with constipation: A double-blind, randomized cross-over trial. Nutr J. 2007, 6: 8-10.1186/1475-2891-6-8. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-6-8

  115. 115.

    Corrêa NBO, Péret Filho LA, Penna FJ, Lima FMLS, Nicoli JR: A randomized formula controlled trial of bifidobacterium lactis and streptococcus thermophilus for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in infants. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005, 39: 385-389. 10.1097/01.mcg.0000159217.47419.5b.

  116. 116.

    Akiyama K, Shimada M, Ishizeki S, Takigawa I, Imura S, Yamauchi K, Hatano M, Abe N, Yaeshima T, Hayasawa H, Shimamura S: Effects of administration of bifidobacterium in extremely premature infants. Development of intestinal microflora by orally administered bifidobacterium longum (in comparison with bifidobacterium breve). Acta Neonatol Jpn. 1994b, 30: 257-263.

  117. 117.

    Robinson EL, Thompson WL: Effect on weight gain of the addition of lactobacillus acidophilus to the formula of newborn infants. J Pediatr. 1952, 41: 395-398. 10.1016/S0022-3476(52)80121-0.

  118. 118.

    Braga TD, Da Silva GAP, De Lira PIC, De Carvalho LM: Efficacy of bifidobacterium breve and lactobacillus casei oral supplementation on necrotizing enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011, 93: 81-86. 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29799.

  119. 119.

    Cukrowska B, Lodínová-Žádníková R, Enders C, Sonnenborn U, Schulze J, Tlaskalová-Hogenová H: Specific proliferative and antibody responses of premature infants to intestinal colonization with nonpathogenic probiotic E. coli strain nissle 1917. Scand J Immunol. 2002, 55: 204-209. 10.1046/j.1365-3083.2002.01005.x.

  120. 120.

    Kukkonen K, Savilahti E, Haahtela T, Juntunen-Backman K, Korpela R, Poussa T, Tuure T, Kuitunen M: Probiotics and prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides in the prevention of allergic diseases: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 119: 192-198. 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.09.009.

  121. 121.

    Rochat F, Cherbut C, Barclay D, Puccio G, Fazzolari-Nesci A, Grathwohl D, Haschke F: A whey-predominant formula induces fecal microbiota similar to that found in breast-fed infants. Nutr Res. 2007, 27: 735-740. 10.1016/j.nutres.2007.09.008.

  122. 122.

    Chou I, Kuo H, Chang J, Wu S, Chiu H, Su B, Lin H: Lack of effects of oral probiotics on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm very low birth weight infants. J Pediatr. 2010, 156: 393-396. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.09.051.

  123. 123.

    Hol J, van Leer EHG, Elink Schuurman BEE, de Ruiter LF, Samsom JN, Hop W, Neijens HJ, de Jongste JC, Nieuwenhuis EES: The acquisition of tolerance toward cow’s milk through probiotic supplementation: A randomized, controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008, 121: 1448-1454. 10.1016/j.jaci.2008.03.018.

  124. 124.

    Chandra RK: Effect of lactobacillus on the incidence and severity of acute rotavirus diarrhoea in infants, A prospective placebo-controlled double-blind study. Nutr Res. 2002, 22: 65-69. 10.1016/S0271-5317(01)00367-0.

  125. 125.

    Karvonen AV, Sinkiewicz G, Connolly E, Vesikari T: Safety and colonization of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 in newborn infants and premature infants. Clinical study 1. 1999, Stockholm, Sweden: BioGaia AB Research Laboratories, Unpublished

  126. 126.

    Kukkonen K, Savilahti E, Haahtela T, Juntunen-Backman K, Korpela R, Poussa T, Tuure T, Kuitunen M: Long-term safety and impact on infection rates of postnatal probiotic and prebiotic (synbiotic) treatment: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2008, 122: 8-12. 10.1542/peds.2007-1192.

  127. 127.

    Taipale T, Pienihkkinen K, Isolauri E, Larsen C, Brockmann E, Alanen P, Jokela J, Söderling E: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in infancy. Br J Nutr. 2011, 105: 409-416. 10.1017/S0007114510003685.

  128. 128.

    Euler AR, Mitchell DK, Kline R, Pickering LK: Prebiotic effect of fructo-oligosaccharide supplemented term infant formula at two concentrations compared with unsupplemented formula and human milk. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005, 40: 157-164. 10.1097/00005176-200502000-00014.

  129. 129.

    Isolauri E, Arvola T, Sutas Y, Moilanen E, Salminen S: Probiotics in the management of atopic eczema. Clin Exp Allergy. 2000, 30: 1604-1610.

  130. 130.

    Lin H-C, Su B-H, Chen A-C, Lin T-W, Tsai C-H, Yeh T-F, Oh W: Oral probiotics reduce the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight infants. Pediatrics. 2005, 115: 1-4.

  131. 131.

    Karvonen AV, Sinkiewicz G, Connolly E, Vesikari T: Safety and colonization of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 in newborn infants and premature infants. Clinical study 2. 2001, Stockholm, Sweden: BioGaia AB Research Laboratories, Unpublished

  132. 132.

    Taylor SN, Basile LA, Ebeling M, Wagner CL: Intestinal permeability in preterm infants by feeding type: Mother’s milk versus formula. Breast Med. 2009, 4: 11-15. 10.1089/bfm.2008.0114.

  133. 133.

    Hoyos AB: Reduced incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis associated with enteral administration of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium infantis to neonates in an intensive care unit. Int J Infect Dis. 1999, 3: 197-202. 10.1016/S1201-9712(99)90024-3.

  134. 134.

    Nopchinda S, Varavithya W, Phuapradit P, Sangchai R, Suthutvoravut U, Chantraruksa V, Haschke F: Effect of bifidobacterium Bb12 with or without streptococcus thermophilus supplemented formula on nutritional status. J Med Assoc Thai. 2002, 85 (Suppl 4): S1225-S1231.

  135. 135.

    Manzoni P, Mostert H, Leonessa ML, Priolo C, Farina D, Monetti C, Latino MA, Gomirato G: Oral supplementation with lactobacillus casei subspecies rhamnosus prevents enteric colonization by candida species in preterm neonates: A randomized study. Clin Infect Dis. 2006, 42: 1735-1742. 10.1086/504324.

  136. 136.

    Karvonen AV, Sinkiewicz G, Connolly E, Vesikari T: Safety and colonization of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 in new Born and premature infants. Clinical study 3. 2002, Stockholm, Sweden: BioGaia AB Research Laboratories, Unpublished

  137. 137.

    Thibault H, Aubert-Jacquin C, Goulet O: Effects of long-term consumption of a fermented infant formula (with bifidobacterium breve c50 and streptococcus thermophilus 065) on acute diarrhea in healthy infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004, 39: 147-152. 10.1097/00005176-200408000-00004.

  138. 138.

    Kim S, Da HL, Meyer D: Supplementation of infant formula with native inulin has a prebiotic effect in formula-fed babies. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007, 16: 172-177.

  139. 139.

    Rivero M, Chifre R, Roca A, Conde M, Rodriguez M, Sanamaria A: Effect of a new infant formulae enriched prebiotics, probiotics, nucleotides and LC-PUFA on infants recovery after an infection. [abstract PC28]. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004, 39 (Suppl 1)): 19522-

  140. 140.

    Rinne M, Kalliomäki M, Salminen S, Isolauri E: Probiotic intervention in the first months of life: Short-term effects on gastrointestinal symptoms and long-term effects on gut microbiota. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006, 43: 200-205. 10.1097/01.mpg.0000228106.91240.5b.

  141. 141.

    Li Y, Shimizu T, Hosaka A, Kaneko N, Ohtsuka Y, Yamashiro Y: Effects of bifidobacterium breve supplementation on intestinal flora of low birth weight infants. Pediatr Int. 2004, 46: 509-515. 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2004.01953.x.

  142. 142.

    Lee SJ, Cho SJ, Park EA: Effects of probiotics on enteric flora and feeding tolerance in preterm infants. Neonatology. 2007, 91: 174-179. 10.1159/000097449.

  143. 143.

    Urao M, Fujimoto T, Lane GJ, Seo G, Miyano T: Does probiotics administration decrease serum endotoxin levels in infants?. J Pediatr Surg. 1999, 34: 273-276. 10.1016/S0022-3468(99)90189-6.

  144. 144.

    Samanta M, Sarkar M, Ghosh P, Ghosh JK, Sinha MK, Chatterjee S: Prophylactic probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight newborns. J Trop Pediatr. 2009, 55: 128-131.

  145. 145.

    Panigrahi P, Parida S, Pradhan L, Mohapatra SS, Misra PR, Johnson JA, Chaudhry R, Taylor S, Hansen NI, Gewolb IH: Long-term colonization of a lactobacillus plantarum synbiotic preparation in the neonatal gut. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008, 47: 45-53. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31815a5f2c.

  146. 146.

    Lidestri M, Agosti M, Marini A, Boehm G: Oligosaccharides might stimulate calcium absorption in formula-fed preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2003, 91 (441): 91-92.

  147. 147.

    Van Der Aa LB, Heymans HS, Van Aalderen WM, Sillevis Smitt JH, Knol J, Ben Amor K, Goossens DA, Sprikkelman AB: Effect of a new synbiotic mixture on atopic dermatitis in infants: A randomized-controlled trial. Clin Exp Allergy. 2010, 40: 795-804.

  148. 148.

    Rojas MA, Lozano JM, Rojas MX, Rodriguez VA, Rondon MA, Bastidas JA, Perez LA, Rojas C, Ovalle O, Garcia-Harker JE, Tamayo ME, Ruiz GC, Ballesteros A, Archila MM, Arevalo M: Prophylactic probiotics to prevent death and nosocomial infection in preterm infants. Pediatrics. 2012, 130: e1113-e1120. 10.1542/peds.2011-3584.

  149. 149.

    Marini A, Negretti F, Boehm G, Li Destri M, Clerici-Bagozzi D, Mosca F, Agosti M: Pro- and pre-biotics administration in preterm infants: Colonization and influence on faecal flora. Acta Paediatr. 2003, 91 (441): 80-81.

  150. 150.

    Waligora-Dupriet A-J, Campeotto F, Nicolis I, Bonet A, Soulaines P, Dupont C, M- B: Effect of oligofructose supplementation on gut microflora and well-being in young children attending a day care centre. Int J Food Microbiol. 2007, 113: 108-113. 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.07.009.

  151. 151.

    Taylor AL, Dunstan JA, Prescott SL: Probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life fails to reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis and increases the risk of allergen sensitization in high-risk children: A randomized controlled trial. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 119: 184-191. 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.08.036.

  152. 152.

    Rigo J, Pieltain C, Studzinski F: Growth, weight gain composition and mineral accretion in term infants fed a new experimental formula containing hydrolysed protein, β-palmitate and prebiotics. Pediatrika. 2001, 21: 39-48.

  153. 153.

    Wang C, Shoji H, Sato H, Nagata S, Ohtsuka Y, Shimizu T, Yamashiro Y: Effects of oral administration of bifidobacterium breve on fecal lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids in low birth weight infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007, 44: 252-257. 10.1097/01.mpg.0000252184.89922.5f.

  154. 154.

    Underwood MA, Salzman NH, Bennett SH, Barman M, Mills DA, Marcobal A, Tancredi DJ, Bevins CL, Sherman MP: A randomized placebo-controlled comparison of 2 prebiotic/probiotic combinations in preterm infants: Impact on weight gain, intestinal microbiota, and fecal short-chain fatty acids. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009, 48: 216-225. 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31818de195.

  155. 155.

    Savino F, Cresi F, Maccario S, Cavallo F, Dalmasso P, Fanaro S, Oggero R, Vigi V, Silvestro L: “Minor” feeding problems during the first months of life: Effect of a partially hydrolysed milk formula containing fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides. Acta Paediatr. 2003, 91: 86-90.

  156. 156.

    Sepp E, Mikelsaar M, Salminen S: Effect of administration of lactobacillus casei strain GG on the gastrointestinal microbiota of newborns. Microb Ecol Health Dis. 1993, 6: 309-314. 10.3109/08910609309141340.

  157. 157.

    Alfaleh KM, Bassler D: Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008, Art. No:CD005496.DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD005496.pub2, , Issue1

  158. 158.

    Mugambi MN, Musekiwa A, Lombard M, Young T, Blaauw R: Synbiotics, probiotics or prebiotics in infant formula for full term infants: A systematic review. Nutr J. 2012, 11 (1): Article number 8-DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-11-81

  159. 159.

    Mugambi MN, Musekiwa A, Lombard M, Young T, Blaauw R: Probiotics, prebiotics infant formula use in preterm or low birth weight infants: A systematic review. Nutr J. 2012, 11 (1): Article number 58-DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-11-58

  160. 160.

    Lundh A, Sismondo S, Lexchin J, Busuioc OA, Bero L: Industry sponsorship and research outcome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012, 12: DOI: 10.1002/14651858.MR000033.pub2

  161. 161.

    Bhandari M, Busse JW, Jackowski D, Montori VM, Schünemann H, Sprague S, Mears D, Schemitsch EH, Heels-Ansdell D, Devereaux PJ: Association between industry funding and statistically significant pro-industry findings in medical and surgical randomized trials. Can Med Assoc J. 2004, 170: 477-480.

  162. 162.

    Lexchin J, Bero LA, Djulbegovic B, Clark O: Pharmaceutical industry sponsorship and research outcome and quality: Systematic review. Br Med J. 2003, 326: 1167-1170. 10.1136/bmj.326.7400.1167.

  163. 163.

    Nestle M: Food company sponsorship of nutrition research and professional activities: A conflict of interest?. Public Health Nutr. 2001, 4: 1015-1022.

Pre-publication history

  1. The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/13/137/prepub

Download references

Acknowledgements

This review was supported through a grant from Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. South Africa. The sponsors had no role in study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, report writing or conclusions reached in this review.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, P.O Box 19063, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    • Mary N Mugambi
    • , Martani Lombard
    •  & Reneé Blaauw

  2. Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    • Alfred Musekiwa
    •  & Taryn Young

Authors

  1. Search for Mary N Mugambi in:

  2. Search for Alfred Musekiwa in:

  3. Search for Martani Lombard in:

  4. Search for Taryn Young in:

  5. Search for Reneé Blaauw in:

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary N Mugambi.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

The reviewers contributed the following: MM: Developed review protocol (unpublished), selected RCTs, conducted data extraction, assessment of risk of bias in included RCTs, developed, edited and critically reviewed the manuscript. ML: Selected RCTs, conducted data extraction, assessment of risk of bias in included RCTs, critically reviewed the manuscript. AM: Conducted the statistical analysis, interpretation of results and critically reviewed the manuscript. TY: Contributed to designing the review methodology and critically reviewed the manuscript. RB: Contributed to designing the review, acted as third party arbitrator and critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mugambi, M.N., Musekiwa, A., Lombard, M. et al. Association between funding source, methodological quality and research outcomes in randomized controlled trials of synbiotics, probiotics and prebiotics added to infant formula: A Systematic Review. BMC Med Res Methodol 13, 137 (2013) doi:10.1186/1471-2288-13-137

Download citation

Keywords

  • Synbiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Prebiotics
  • Funding source
  • Methodological quality

BMC Medical Research Methodology

ISSN: 1471-2288

Contact us