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Pro- and prebiotic supplementation induces a transient reduction in hemoglobin concentration in infants

Mikael Kuitunen1, Kaarina Kukkonen, Erkki Savilahti

  • 1Skin and Allergy Hospital, Finland. mikael.kuitunen@hus.fi

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|August 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal probiotic supplementation temporarily decreased infant hemoglobin (Hb) levels at 6 months, but these levels normalized by 2 years. Gut inflammation marker calprotectin correlated with lower Hb during probiotic use.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Immunology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation is increasingly used in infants.
  • The safety and hematologic effects of such interventions require thorough investigation.
  • Understanding impacts on infant development and health markers is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of prenatal and early infant probiotic/prebiotic supplementation on hematologic values at 6 months and 2 years.
  • To identify factors influencing these hematologic values.
  • To evaluate the safety of probiotic and prebiotic interventions in infants.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective randomized controlled trial involving infants at high risk for allergy.
  • Hematologic values measured from blood samples at 6 months (n=98) and 2 years (n=658).
  • Fecal samples analyzed for inflammatory markers (calprotectin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, TNF-alpha, IgA) at 3 and 6 months.

Main Results:

  • At 6 months, probiotic-supplemented infants showed significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels compared to placebo (119.8 vs 123.3 g/L).
  • Lower Hb at 6 months negatively correlated with fecal calprotectin at 3 months (r = -0.301, P = 0.009).
  • Hematologic values normalized and became similar between groups by 2 years of age.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic use during the intervention period was associated with transient gut mucosal inflammation and decreased Hb values.
  • These hematologic changes were reversible after cessation of probiotic supplementation.
  • The findings suggest a temporary impact on infant hematology that resolves post-intervention.
Abstract

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