2 research outputs found
Impact of Bifidobacterium lactis supplementation on fecal microbiota in infants delivered vaginally compared to Caesarean section
Background It has been reported that infants born by Caesarean
section have altered gut microbiota, with lower n umbers of
bifidobacteria and Bacteroides, compared to that of infants who
were delivered vaginally. Probiotic supplementation has been
reported to have beneficial effects on the immune response,
generally in relation to allergies.
Objective To assess the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis)
supplementation on the presence of B. lactis and bifidobacteria
counts in stool of infants during the first 2 months of life .
Methods We conducted an observational study of 122 healthy,
breast-fed infants delivered vaginally or by Caesarean section.
Infants assigned to the test group received breast milk and formula
supplemented with the B. lactis probiotics. Infants in the control
group received breast milk and formula without probiotics.
The presence of B. lactis and stool bifidobacteria counts were
determined at 1 month and 2 months of age. Growth, morbidity,
serum immune markers, and stool immunoglobulin (lg) A were
also assessed.
Results B. lactis was more frequently detected in the stool of
infants who received breast milk and probiotic-supplemented
formula than in stool of infants who received breast milk and
non-supplemented formula, both at 1 month and 2 months of
age (OR 1,263; 95%Cl 11 to 15 1,030; P=0.003) . Of infants who
received probiotic-supplemented formula, B. lactis was detected in
80% of those delivered by Caesarean section and in 3 8% of those
delivered vaginally, at the 1-month mark. In infants delivered by
Caesarean section, the mean stool bifidobacteria level at 1 month
was significantly higher in the probiotic-supplemented group
compared to that of the non-supplemented group (P=0.021) .
Conclusion Early bifidobacteria supplementation of infants,
particularly those delivered by Caesarean section, is associated
with higher levels of stool bifidobacteria. Anthropometric data
suggests beneficial effect s of bifidobacteria supplementation
on infant growth, though most are not statistically significant