Effect of the addition of pre-biotics to infant formula on markers of immune development and atopy at 5 years of age

infections and allergic manifestations are the most frequent problems in young
children. Recent studies in animals as well as in infants with a family history
of atopy, indicate that the type of infant formula might influence the
development of the immunesystem and thereby the incidence of infections and
allergic manifestations. Studies indicate that oligosaccharides or pre-biotics
may be one of the components in human milk that might be responsible for the
lower incidence in infections and allergic symptoms that can be seen in
breastfed infants. In 2005 the MIPS study started in 7 centers in 5 european
countries evaluating the potential effect of adding a mixture of pre-biotics to
infant formula. In total 1130 infants were included, 414 receiving infant
formula with pre-biotics, 416 infants an identical formula without the
pre-biotics and 300 breastfed infants as reference group. In 70% of the infants
blood was taken at 6 and 12 month for the analysis of markers of allergy and
response to vaccinations as marker of immune development. A lower incidence of
allergic skin symptoms were seen in the pre-biotic group compared to controls,
but no difference in allergic parametrs or vaccination response. This was in
contrast to an previous study in children with a family history of atopy where
lower levels of IgE and TARC wre found. We now want to evaluate if there are
differences in the same immune parameters at 5 years of age.

are there differences in levels of IgE and sub-classes, TARC ,light chain IgG
and titers against vaccins HiB and Tetanus between children who received as
infant a formula with or without pre-biotics ?

venapuncture in those infants of the original MIPS cohort of whom the parents
agree with the venapuncture

only burden is the venapuncture