Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2014; 20(37): 13446-13452
Published online Oct 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i37.13446
Stool characteristics of infants receiving short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides: A review
Petra AMJ Scholtens, Dominique AM Goossens, Annamaria Staiano
Petra AMJ Scholtens, Dominique AM Goossens, Nutricia Research, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Annamaria Staiano, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translation Medical Science, Federico II, University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: Scholtens PAMJ and Goossens DAM reviewed the relevant publications for this review; Scholtens PAMJ, Goossens DAM and Staiano A interpreted the data coming from the relevant publications; Scholtens PAMJ wrote the paper; Goossens DAM and Staiano A gave valuable input to the text.
Correspondence to: Dr. Petra AMJ Scholtens, Nutricia Research, PO Box 80141, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. petra.scholtens@danone.com
Telephone: +31-30-2095000 Fax: +31-30-2100436
Received: February 12, 2014
Revised: May 9, 2014
Accepted: June 12, 2014
Published online: October 7, 2014
Processing time: 237 Days and 0.9 Hours
Abstract

Human milk is considered to be the optimal source of infant nutrition. Some of the benefits of breastfeeding have been ascribed to human milk oligosaccharides (HMO). For instance, HMO can affect faecal characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency. Such effects on stool characteristics can be beneficial for young infants as hard stools and even constipation is common in that age group. Prebiotics in infant milk formulas have been introduced to exert similar functionalities. A specific mixture of prebiotics consists of a combination of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS) in a ratio of 9:1. This specific mixture has been developed to closely resemble the molecular size composition of HMO. Many studies have been done with scGOS/lcFOS, and indicators for digestive comfort have often been included as secondary outcomes. This review summarizes the effects of scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) on stool consistency, stool frequency and transit time in healthy term and preterm infants. In several of the studies with scGOS/lcFOS in a ratio of 9:1 in infant milk formulas, positive effects of this mixture on stool characteristics such as stool consistency and stool frequency were observed. As stool consistency was shown to be correlated to whole gut transit time, scGOS/lcFOS can be hypothesised to have a role in reducing the risk of constipation.

Keywords: Short-chain galactooligosaccharides; Long-chain fructooligosaccharides; Stool consistency; Stool frequency; Infants

Core tip: In several clinical trials with a specific mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructooligosaccharides in a ratio 9:1 in infant milk formulas, positive effects were observed on stool consistency and stool frequency. This specific mixture of short chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides may therefore have a role in reducing the risk of constipation.