Locust bean gum formula and preterm infant gut tolerance
What it found
In 26 preterm infants, starting a locust bean gum-containing formula was linked to softer stools, less straining, less bloating and better oxygen levels over 7 days.
The study had no control group, so it cannot prove the formula caused these changes.
What they found
Studies in people
Softer stools
By Day 7, soft or normal stools were seen in 96.2% of the infants. Firm stools present at the start had nearly disappeared.
Less straining and bloating
Severe straining during feeding was gone in 87.5% of infants by Day 7. Abdominal distension improved in 96.2%, and gas passage became adequate in all infants.
Oxygen levels
The average oxygen saturation category improved, and the share of infants with rare or no desaturation rose from 61.5% to 96.2%. Apnea scores did not change significantly.
Stool frequency
Stool frequency stayed about the same over the 7 days. The authors say this fits with locust bean gum softening stools by holding water rather than acting like a laxative.
Growth and adverse events
Growth velocity stayed within clinically acceptable ranges. No infant stopped the formula because of intolerance, and no adverse events were recorded during the 7 days.
Younger preterm infants
Infants born at less than 34 weeks postmenstrual age showed the largest numerical improvements in stool consistency, straining and oxygen saturation category. The authors say these subgroup differences were not statistically significant and need confirmation.
What the authors conclude
“In this retrospective paired cohort, initiation of a locust bean gum (LBG)-containing formula was associated with short-term improvement in several clinically relevant gastrointestinal tolerance parameters in preterm infants, including stool consistency, gas passage, abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness, vomiting, and straining during feeding.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that starting a locust bean gum-containing formula was associated with short-term improvement in gut tolerance and oxygen measures in preterm infants.
- They say the exploratory subgroup findings by postmenstrual age need confirmation in adequately powered prospective studies.
- They call for further prospective controlled studies to clarify the nutritional and clinical effects of locust bean gum-containing formulas in preterm infants.
How it was done
Preterm infants often have gut movement problems, belly discomfort and breathing instability around feeding. The authors wanted to see how a locust bean gum-containing formula affected gut tolerance and oxygen levels in the short term.
They looked back at records for 26 preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit who started a locust bean gum-containing anti-regurgitation formula, alone or mixed with human milk. Nurses and doctors scored gut symptoms and oxygen levels on Day 0, Day 3 and Day 7.
What it can’t tell you
- This study had no control group, so it cannot show that the formula caused the improvements. The infants may have improved naturally as they matured.
- Some infants also received human milk, so the effect of locust bean gum alone cannot be separated out.
- The study only followed infants for 7 days and did not assess long-term growth, development or feeding behaviour.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- Selçuk University, Türkiye
The paper
- Title
- Short-Term Gastrointestinal Tolerance and Oxygenation Changes After a Locust Bean Gum-Containing Formula in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Paired Cohort Study
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Konak M, Kılıçlı E, Uygun SS, Namal H (2026). Short-Term Gastrointestinal Tolerance and Oxygenation Changes After a Locust Bean Gum-Containing Formula in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Paired Cohort Study. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu18111834Free full textPubMed 42280475DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error