Effect of Synbiotic on the Gut Microbiota of Cesarean Delivered Infants

• Published in: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 102 - 106
• Main Authors: Chua, Mei Chien, Ben‐Amor, Kaouther, Lay, Christophe, Goh, Anne E.N., Chiang, Wen Chin, Rao, Rajeshwar, Chew, Charmaine, Chaithongwongwatthana, Surasith, Khemapech, Nipon, Knol, Jan, Chongsrisawat, Voranush
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V; C‐section; gut microbiota; prebiotics; probiotics; synbiotics
• ISSN: 0277-2116; 1536-4801
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001623

ABSTRACT We determined the effect of short‐chain galacto‐oligosaccharides (scGOS), long‐chain fructo‐oligosaccharides (lcFOS) and Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V on the gut microbiota of cesarean‐born infants. Infants were randomized to receive a standard formula (control), the same with scGOS/lcFOS and B. breve M‐16V (synbiotic), or with scGOS/lcFOS (prebiotic) from birth until week 16, 30 subjects born vaginally were included as a reference group. Synbiotic supplementation resulted in a higher bifidobacteria proportion from day 3/5 (P < 0.0001) until week 8 (P = 0.041), a reduction of Enterobacteriaceae from day 3/5 (P = 0.002) till week 12 (P = 0.016) compared to controls. This was accompanied with a lower fecal pH and higher acetate. In the synbiotic group, B. breve M‐16V was detected 6 weeks postintervention in 38.7% of the infants. This synbiotic concept supported the early modulation of Bifidobacterium in C‐section born infants that was associated with the emulation of the gut physiological environment observed in vaginally delivered infants.