Early Probiotic Supplementation of Healthy Term Infants with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 Is Safe and Leads to the Development of Bifidobacterium-Predominant Gut Microbiota
Hiraku A, Nakata S, Murata M, Xu C, Mutoh N
Published in Nutrients
Methodology
Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 110 healthy term infants given B. infantis M-63 (1 x 10^9 CFU/day) or placebo from within 7 days of birth to 3 months, with faecal microbiota, pH, SCFAs and immune markers analysed.
Key Findings
M-63 significantly increased Bifidobacterium relative abundance, lowered stool pH and raised faecal acetic acid and IgA at 1 month, with fewer watery stools and no related adverse events.
Conclusions
Early B. infantis M-63 supplementation is well tolerated and promotes a Bifidobacterium-predominant gut microbiota in term infants.
Limitations
Surrogate microbiological and immune endpoints rather than clinical disease outcomes; short 3-month intervention; industry sponsored.
Supplements Studied
Supplementation with B. infantis M-63 significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium compared with the placebo group.
Outcomes Measured
Supplementation with B. infantis M-63 led to decreased stool pH and increased levels of acetic acid and IgA in the stool at 1 month of age compared with the placebo group.
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Industry (Morinaga Milk) supported
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