Polydextrose and GOS in infant formula: growth and tolerance
What it found
Infants fed formula with polydextrose and GOS grew normally and had softer stools than those on a standard formula.
The study ran from 14 to 120 days of age.
What they found
Studies in people
Growth
There were no group differences in growth rate from 14 to 120 days of age. A few short-term weight differences in the first weeks did not persist, and length and head circumference were similar across groups.
Stool consistency
Stools were softer in the polydextrose/GOS and GOS groups than in the control group during the first two weeks and at 60 days. At 120 days, the polydextrose/GOS group still had softer stools than the control group.
Stool frequency
Infants in the polydextrose/GOS and GOS groups had more stools per day than the control group in the first two weeks and up to 60 days. By 90 days, there was no difference between groups.
Fussiness and gas
Parents reported similar levels of fussiness and gassiness across all groups. Formula intake was also similar.
Adverse events
The overall rate of medically confirmed adverse events was similar across groups. Gas was less common in the polydextrose/GOS group than in the control group, and serious adverse events were judged unrelated to the formulas.
What the authors conclude
“Investigational routine infant formulas supplemented with 4 g/L of either a prebiotic blend of PDX and GOS or GOS alone were well-tolerated and supported normal growth.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that routine infant formulas supplemented with 4 g/L of either a polydextrose and GOS blend or GOS alone were well-tolerated and supported normal growth.
- They say infants who received prebiotic supplementation had a softer stooling pattern similar to that reported in breastfed infants.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see if adjusting fat, carbohydrate and calcium and adding prebiotics could make infant formula closer to breast milk in its effects.
They randomly assigned 419 healthy, formula-fed infants at 21 US sites to a control formula, a formula with 4 g/L of a polydextrose and GOS blend, or a formula with 4 g/L of GOS alone. Infants were fed from 14 to 120 days of age, with growth and tolerance measured at set visits.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial ran only from 14 to 120 days of age, so it cannot show what happens with longer use.
- The study cannot show whether these formulas affect health outcomes beyond growth, tolerance and stool patterns.
The paper
- Title
- Growth and tolerance of infants fed formula supplemented with polydextrose (PDX) and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS): double-blind, randomized, controlled trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Ashley C, Johnston WH, Harris CL, Stolz SI, Wampler JL, Berseth CL (2012). Growth and tolerance of infants fed formula supplemented with polydextrose (PDX) and/or galactooligosaccharides (GOS): double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Nutrition journal. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-38Free full textPubMed 22676715DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error