ON THE QUESTION OF THE USE OF PROBIOTIC DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN INFANTS

Abstract

The genus Bifi dobacterium has been shown to predominate in the gut microbiota of breastfed infants and to benefi t the body by accelerating maturation of the immune response, balancing the immune system to suppress infl ammation, improving intestinal barrier function, and increasing acetate production. The microfl ora of breastfed infants consists mainly of these bacteria, and their presence is considered important in early childhood because they maintain a healthy acid-alkaline balance necessary for the normal functioning of digestive enzymes, prevent the development of harmful bacteria, infl uence intestinal motility (peristalsis), and promote normal functioning of the immune system. Bifi dobacterium is well adapted to the infant gut and has evolved with the gut microbiome, in part due to its ability to consume the complex carbohydrates found in human milk.In order to provide the benefi ts associated with Bifi dobacterium to all infants, a number of commercial strains have been developed over the past decades. As new ingredients become available, their safety and suitability must be evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. A review of the complete clinical data on the use of Bifi dobacterium in infant formula is essential to better understand its potential impact on infant health and development. In this article, we begin to summarize recent clinical trials using selected commercial strains of Bifi dobacterium.