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Bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract of infants: an in-vivo study

C L Bullen, P V Tearle, A T Willis

    Journal of Medical Microbiology
    |August 1, 1976
    PubMed

    Insights

    Breast milk promotes a healthy infant gut microbiome. Breast-fed infants showed beneficial acetate buffers and more bifidobacteria, unlike bottle-fed infants. This highlights the importance of breast milk for infant gut health.

    Area of Science:

    • Infant nutrition
    • Microbiology
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • The infant gut microbiome plays a crucial role in health and development.
    • Dietary factors, particularly feeding method, significantly influence microbiome composition.
    • Understanding these differences is key to optimizing infant health outcomes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of breast milk versus formula on the infant gut microbiome.
    • To identify specific microbial and chemical differences in the faeces of breast-fed and bottle-fed infants.
    • To correlate feeding practices with the presence of acetate buffers and bacterial populations.

    Main Methods:

    • Weekly faecal specimen analysis from 18 infants (8 breast-fed, 10 bottle-fed) over 8 weeks.
    • Detection of acetic acid and acetate buffer in faeces.
    • Quantification of bacterial populations including bifidobacteria, Streptococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, bacteroides, and clostridia.
    • Measurement of faecal pH.

    Main Results:

    • Acetate buffer was consistently found in breast-fed infants' faeces but absent in bottle-fed infants'.
    • Breast-fed infants exhibited lower faecal pH and higher counts of saccharolytic bacteria (e.g., bifidobacteria).
    • Bottle-fed infants had higher faecal pH and increased counts of Escherichia coli and putrefactive bacteria.

    Conclusions:

    • Breast milk consumption promotes a distinct and potentially healthier infant gut environment characterized by acetate production.
    • The infant gut microbiome composition is strongly influenced by feeding method, with breast milk favoring beneficial bacteria.
    • These findings underscore the significant impact of breast milk on establishing a robust infant gut microbiome.

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