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The delivery of probiotics and prebiotics to infants

M J Kullen1, J Bettler

  • 1Research and Development, Wyeth Nutrition, PO Box 8299, Philadelphia, PA 19101, USA. kullenm@wyeth.com

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|January 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics and prebiotics show promise for infant health, potentially improving gut microbiota in formula-fed infants. Further research and favorable regulations are expected to increase the availability of these beneficial additives in infant formulas.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Microbiome Research
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Numerous studies have explored the impact of probiotics and prebiotics on infant health over the past decade.
  • These interventions have been investigated for various outcomes, including growth, safety, diarrhea prevention, atopic disease reduction, necrotizing enterocolitis prevention, and infection reduction in preterm infants.
  • Microbiological changes in response to probiotic and prebiotic supplementation have also been documented.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the health outcomes and microbiological alterations associated with probiotic and prebiotic feeding in infants.
  • To discuss the potential of these interventions in improving infant health, for both breastfed and formula-fed infants.
  • To examine the role of probiotics and prebiotics in infant formula to mimic the microbiota of breastfed infants.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of published studies on infant probiotic and prebiotic feeding.
  • Analysis of health outcomes such as growth, safety, and disease prevention.
  • Evaluation of microbiological data related to gut flora alterations.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics demonstrate significant potential in addressing key infant health concerns.
  • Differences in gut microbiota exist between breastfed and formula-fed infants.
  • Infant formulas are increasingly incorporating probiotics and prebiotics to enhance infant gut flora.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation offers considerable promise for improving infant health outcomes.
  • Innovations in infant formula aim to align the gut microbiota of formula-fed infants with that of breastfed infants.
  • Market growth for probiotic- and prebiotic-containing infant formulas is anticipated as safety and efficacy data accumulate and regulatory environments evolve.

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