Phase 1A Study of Impact of Oligosaccharides and Bifidobacteria on the Intestinal Microflora of Premature Infants

To determine the optimum dose and optimum dietary supplement to promote a fecal microflora in the formula fed premature infant that is similar to that of the term breast fed infant (a predominance of bifidobacteria). In the initial phase of this trial, 30 premature infants will be randomly assigned to receive increasing doses of one of four dietary supplements: Permeate (a pasteurized human milk concentrate containing human milk oligosaccharides processed by Prolacta), GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides manufactured by Friesland foods), Bifidobacterium infantis or Bifidobacterium animalis. Weekly stool specimens will be examined by PCR to determine content of bifidobacteria and total bacteria. This study is limited to formula fed infants in order to avoid the confounding effects of the human milk oligosaccharides in breast milk. An additional 12 human milk fed infants will be enrolled and will have their diet supplemented with ProlactPlus (a pasteurized human milk concentrate containing humna milk oligosaccharides) or powdered human milk fortifier for comparison