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Prebiotics in human milk: a review

G V Coppa1, L Zampini, T Galeazzi

  • 1Institute of Maternal-Infantile Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via F. Corridoni, 11, 60123 Ancona, Italy. g.v.coppa@univpm.it

Digestive and Liver Disease : Official Journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
|January 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Newborn gut microbes are influenced by delivery method and feeding. Human milk, particularly oligosaccharides, promotes beneficial bifidobacteria in infants, establishing a healthy gut microbiome.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Gut Microbiome
  • Infant Nutrition

Background:

  • The human intestinal tract is colonized by microbes shortly after birth.
  • Mode of delivery and infant feeding significantly shape early gut flora composition.
  • Breast milk is known to promote a specific microbial profile in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the factors influencing the establishment of the infant gut microbiome.
  • To understand the role of human milk components in promoting beneficial bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study comparing gut microbiota composition based on delivery mode and feeding type.
  • Analysis of human milk components and their potential prebiotic effects.

Main Results:

  • Delivery method impacts initial intestinal flora.
  • Breast-fed infants exhibit a higher prevalence of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to bottle-fed infants.
  • Human milk oligosaccharides are confirmed as key drivers of bifidobacteria-dominant microflora.

Conclusions:

  • Infant gut microbiome development is a complex process influenced by early-life exposures.
  • Human milk provides essential factors, especially oligosaccharides, that selectively promote beneficial gut bacteria.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for infant health and microbiome modulation strategies.

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