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Role of Bifidobacteria on Infant Health

Silvia Saturio1,2, Alicja M Nogacka1,2, Guadalupe M Alvarado-Jasso1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy Products, Instituto de Productos Lácteos de Asturias (IPLA-CSIC), 33300 Villaviciosa, Spain.

Microorganisms
|December 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Bifidobacteria are crucial for infant health, impacting development and gut microbiota. This review explores their role, influencing factors, and probiotic potential in newborns and infants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Gut Health
  • Infant Development and Nutrition

Background:

  • Bifidobacteria are dominant gut microbes in healthy breastfed infants.
  • Their composition and quantity are vital for infant health and development.
  • Reduced bifidobacteria levels are linked to infant diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review bifidobacterial composition and function from birth.
  • To describe perinatal factors influencing bifidobacteria.
  • To explore implications for infant health alterations and probiotic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Compilation of existing scientific literature.
  • Analysis of studies on perinatal factors affecting bifidobacteria.
  • Review of pre-clinical and clinical trials of Bifidobacterium probiotics in neonates.

Main Results:

  • Bifidobacteria play a critical role in early life gut microbiota.
  • Various perinatal factors significantly impact bifidobacterial colonization and levels.
  • Alterations in bifidobacteria are associated with infant health issues.

Conclusions:

  • Bifidobacteria are essential for healthy infant gut microbiome development.
  • Understanding their dynamics is key to addressing infant health concerns.
  • Bifidobacterium strains show promise as probiotics for neonates.

Keywords:
bifidobacteriadevelopmentdiseaseearly lifegut microbiotahealthinfantprobiotics

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