Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and cow milk-related symptoms in infants: a real-life experience

In infancy, cow's milk allergy (CMA) is a common medical problem. However, there is no simple diagnostic tool, so a symptom-based score has been developed in clinical practice and parents. The Cow's Milk-related Symptom Score (CoMiSS) includes the assessment of symptoms associated with intestinal, cutaneous, and respiratory complaints. The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) is the world's most documented probiotic Bifidobacterium. The present study aims to evaluate the effects exerted by a two-month BB-12 course on CoMiSS scores in infants with artificial feeding (partial or absolute). Infants were supplemented with six drops (1x10(9) CFU; ABINAT12 (R)) daily (Group A; 499 subjects) or without any probiotic (Group B; 461 subjects) for two months. Paediatricians performed a baseline visit (T0) and after 30 (T1) and 60 (T2) days. In addition, the CoMiSS questionnaire was administered to the parents. BB-12 significantly improved near all items of CoMiSS both at T1 and T2. In conclusion, this experience demonstrated that symptoms potentially related to CMA represent a relevant medical problem in infants. In addition, a two-month BB-12 supplementation (ABINAT12 (R)) significantly reduced the symptom severity of infants.

Automated summary

Cow's milk allergy is common in infancy, but there is no simple diagnostic tool. This study found that a two-month supplementation of the probiotic strain BB-12 significantly reduced symptom severity in artificially fed infants.