| Abstrakt: |
An analysis of the food in infant homes and nursery schools carried out over various periods disclosed a considerable deficiency in various basic nutrients, vitamins and minerals (i.e. animal protein, vitamins B, B, P-P, C, calcium and iron). Since a longterm administration of ordinary milk seems to have adverse effects on small children it was decided to use fermented milk in a feeding experiment. One strain of each Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococus lactis (BIO-ghurt), which previpusly have been used with good results in a children's hospital, were chosen for use in the longterm experiment. Bacteriological test for the purity of both strains and serological tests for the determination of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the milk, and in the stool of the children were carried out regularly. The fermented milk was used in infant homes and nursery schools over a period of six years (1961-1967). It was noted that the children got used to the fermented milk very quickly and that they took it whithout any difficulty over the whole experimental period. The following criteria were used to determine the clinical success of the experiment: hight, weight, proportionality and morbidity as compared to a control group. The data collected from a total of 417 children (252 in the experimental and 165 in the control group, which both had been selected at random at the beginning of the experiment) were used in the statistical evaluation (× test). As can be seen from the results a statistically significant increase in hight and proportionality was found in the experimental group. Since fermented milk was the one and only difference in the diet of the two groups it seems certain, that the results are due to that particular factor. A certain but statistically not significant decrease in morbidity was also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
