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Comparison of gut microbiota in exclusively breast-fed and formula-fed babies: a study of 91 term infants
Jingran Ma1, Zhenghong Li2, Wenjuan Zhang3
1Department of Paediatrics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
Insights
Infant gut microbiota differs based on feeding type. Breast milk promotes higher beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium, while formula feeding influences microbial composition, potentially impacting long-term infant health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- The infant gut microbiome plays a crucial role in immune system development and overall health.
- Dietary interventions, such as breastfeeding and formula feeding, are known to significantly shape the early-life gut microbiota.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the fecal bacterial composition and diversity in healthy infants exclusively fed breast milk, formula A, or formula B.
- To identify specific bacterial genera that differ between feeding groups during early infancy.
Main Methods:
- Recruitment of 91 healthy infants assigned to three feeding groups: breast milk, formula A, or formula B.
- Exclusive feeding for over 4 months post-birth.
- Analysis of fecal bacterial composition and alpha diversity at 40 days, 3 months, and 6 months of age.
Main Results:
- Alpha diversity was lower in breast-fed infants at 40 days but increased by 6 months.
- Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides were higher in breast-fed infants compared to formula A at 40 days.
- Differences in Lachnospiraceae, Veillonella, and Clostridioides were observed between breast-fed and formula-fed groups at various time points.
- Significant microbiota variations were also found between the two formula groups (A and B).
Conclusions:
- Breast milk and formula feeding result in distinct gut microbiota profiles in infants.
- Specific bacterial taxa abundances vary significantly based on diet, with implications for infant health.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term health consequences of these diet-induced microbial differences.
Abstract:
To compare gut microbiota of healthy infants that were exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed, we recruited 91 infants, who were assigned into three different groups and fed by breast milk (30 babies), formula A (30 babies) or formula B (31 babies) exclusively for more than 4 months after birth. Faecal bacterial composition was tested. Among different groups, α diversity was lower in breast-fed group than formula-fed groups in 40 days of age, but increased significantly in 6 months of age. The Bifidobacterium represented the most predominant genus and Enterobacteriaceae the second in all groups. In 40 days of age, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides were significantly higher, while Streptococcus and Enterococcus were significantly lower in breast-fed group than they were in formula A-fed group. Lachnospiraceae was lower in breast-fed than formula B-fed group. Veillonella and Clostridioides were lower in breast-fed than formula-fed groups. In 3 months of age there were less Lachnospiraceae and Clostridioides in breast-fed group than formula-fed groups. There were also significant differences of microbiota between formula A-fed and formula B-fed groups. Those differences may have impacts on their long-term health.
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