Table 7 Summary of findings table: Synbiotic studies
From: Synbiotics, probiotics or prebiotics in infant formula for full term infants: a systematic review
Effects of infant formula containing Synbiotics on clinical outcomes in full term infants | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient or population: Full term infants, Settings: Multi-centre trials, Intervention: Infant formula with synbiotics, Comparison: Conventional infant formula | |||||
Outcomes | Illustrative comparative risks* (95% CI) | Measure of effect (95% CI) | No of Participants (studies) | Quality of the evidence (GRADE) | |
Assumed risk | Corresponding risk | ||||
Conventional formula | Infant formula with synbiotics | ||||
Weight gain (g/day) for boys | The mean (SD) weight gain (g/day) in control group was 30.9 (6.1) | Mean (SD) weight gain in synbiotic group was 31.8 (5.9) | MD (95% CI): 0.90 (−1.95 to 3.75) | 81 (1 study) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: mean 4 months | low 1,2 | ||||
Weight gain (g/day) for girls | The mean (SD) weight gain (g/day) in control group was 26.9 (6) | Mean (SD) weight gain in synbiotic group was 27.8 (6) | MD (95% CI): 0.90 (−1.81 to 3.61) | 86 (1 study) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: mean 4 months | low 3,4 | ||||
Length gain (mm/mo) for boys | The mean (SD) length gain (mm/month for boys in control group ranged from 32.6 (3.6) to 35.1 (4.4) | The mean length gain (mm/mo) for boys in the intervention groups was 0.75 higher (0.66 lower to 2.17 higher) | MD (95% CI): 0.75 (−0.66 to 2.17) | 120 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: mean 4 months | low 5,6,7 | ||||
Length gain (mm/mo) for girls | The mean length gain (mm/month) for girls in the control groups ranged from 31.2 (3.7) to 32.2 (4.6) | The mean length gain (mm/mo) for girls in the intervention groups was 0.75 higher (0.63 lower to 2.13 higher) | MD (95% CI): 0.75 (−0.63 to 2.13) | 138 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: mean 4 months | low 8,9,10 | ||||
Head circumference gain (mm/mo) for boys | The mean head circumference gain (mm/month) for boys in the control groups ranged from 17.4 (2.9) to 18.4 (2.3) | The mean head circumference gain (mm/mo) for boys in the intervention groups was 0.06 lower (0.96 lower to 0.85 higher) | MD (95% CI): -0.06 (−0.96 to −0.85) | 126 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: 4 to 6 months | |||||
Head circumference gain (mm/mo) for girls | The mean head circumference gain (mm/month) for girls in the control groups ranged from 15.5 (3) to 16.7 (2.4) | The mean head circumference gain (mm/mo) for girls in the intervention groups was 0.05 lower (0.94 lower to 0.85 higher) | MD (95% CI): -0.05 (−0.94 to 0.85) | 138 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: 4 to 6 months | low 13,14 | ||||
Stool frequency (evacuations per day) | The mean (SD) stool frequency (evacuations per day) in the control group ranged from 1.4 (0.49) to 1.8 (0.9) | The mean stool frequency (evacuations per day) in the intervention groups was 0.28 higher (0.08 to 0.48 higher) | MD (95% CI): 0.28 (0.08 to 0.48) | 176 (2 studies) | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ |
Follow-up: 4 to 6 months | low 15,16 | ||||