Early Dietary Intervention with a Mixture of Prebiotic Oligosaccharides Reduces the Incidence of Allergic Manifestations and Infections during the First Two Years of Life
It should come as no surprise that I continue to be amazed at the complete lack of reverence in the pediatric practice for normal bacterial flora. And we could even go as far as to include to OBs as well, since mom needs a healthy flora during delivery and nursing. The amount of research suggesting that these bacteria are absolutely essential for normal immune system development is staggering, and the near ubitquitous inappropriate use of antibiotics without follow up with probiotics is inexcusable. Any physician charged with the care of their patients health has an absolute responsibility to stay current with the medical literature. This is not happening in medicine, with particular blame on the pediatricians.
Now that my rant is over, I’d like to point out that this is yet another study linking healthy bacterial flora (the oligosacchardides used in this study are given to support the growth of healthy bacterial flora) and protection against both infections and allergies.