Oligosaccharides reduce stool viscosity and accelerate the gastro-intestinal transport in preterm infants

Objective: Feeding intolerance is common in preterm infants. A mixture of prebiotic non-digestible oligosaccharides (GosFos; referring to galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides) has been suggested to reduce stool hardness and increase stool frequency. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether GosFos improve feeding tolerance in preterm infants on full enteral nutrition. We hypothesized that GosFos: 1) reduce stool viscosity and 2) accelerate gastro-intestinal transport. Methods: In a placebo-controlled double-blinded trial 20 preterm infants on full enteral nutrition (gestational age 27(24–31) weeks,…