Why Are Bifidobacteria Important for Infants?

Abstract

The presence of Bifidobacterium species in the maternal vaginal and fecal microbiota is arguably an evolutionary trait that allows these organisms to be primary colonizers of the newborn intestinal tract. Their ability to utilize human milk oligosaccharides fosters their establishment as core health-promoting organisms throughout life. A reduction in their abundance in infants has been shown to increase the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorder, and all-cause mortality later in life. Probiotic strains have been developed as supplements for premature babies and to counter some of these ailments as well as to confer a range of health benefits. The ability to modulate the immune response and produce short-chain fatty acids, particularly acetate and butyrate, that strengthen the gut barrier and regulate the gut microbiome, makes Bifidobacterium a core component of a healthy infant through adulthood.

Maternal gestational Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 treatment shapes construction of offspring gut microbiota and development of immune system and induces immune tolerance to food allergen

“…The vaginal microbiota was markedly changed, with significantly decreased alpha diversity and abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus , and significantly increased abundance of Proteobacteria ; these changes in microbial composition were also observed in the gut microbiota of neonates. Gestational administration of TMC3115 significantly increased the relative abundance of vaginal Bifidobacterium , which was not found in the gut microbiota of neonates, indicating the TMC3115 might promote the vertical transmission of bifidobacteria from mother’s intestine to vagina as the evolutionary trait of bifidobacteria and the low diversity of vaginal microbiota and the low pH value within vagina ( Wang et al., 2020 ; Stuivenberg et al., 2022 ). These results indicated that gestational TMC3115 treatment could significantly alter the microbiota of the mothers’ vaginas and the pups’ intestines.…”

Neonatal Diet and Gut Microbiome Development After C-Section During the First Three Months After Birth: A Systematic Review

“…Bifidobacteria generate a low-pH environment, produce antimicrobial polysaccharides, and consequently influence the presence of other microbes (53,54). A reduction in Bifidobacteria, related perturbations in interlinked microbes, and disruption of their functions at an early age are associated with immune and metabolic disorders (55)(56)(57). Regarding the Bifidobacteria depletion, the aberrant numbers have been described in CSes and after ATB treatment.…”

The potential role of adherence factors in probiotic function in the gastrointestinal tract of adults and pediatrics: a narrative review of experimental and human studies

“…LGG, B. breve) and strains unique to pediatrics (B. infantis, L. rheuteri ), however why that is the case does not seem to be evidence-driven but rather historical, general health- and safety-driven. 197 Third, a few studies directly comparing adhesion in infant and adult cell lines are general in referring to barrier function properties or mucus composition, and do not specifically discuss adhesins. Mechanistic studies comparing adhesion factors to age are not available and studies usually consider either infant or adult GIT.…”