SCIENCE

The Microbiota in Infancy

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in shaping infant health and development during the first 1,000 days of life, influencing gut maturation, immunity, metabolism, and even neurocognitive outcomes.

Colonization begins immediately after birth, evolving over time.

Bifidobacteria, especially Human-Residential Bifidobacteria (HRB), dominate the healthy infant gut, often making up over 70% of the microbial community in early life.

Microbiota is shaped by delivery mode, gestational age, feeding type, and antibiotics.

C-section, preterm birth, or formula feeding can disrupt this, increasing health risks.

Optimal colonization comes from maternal vaginal, intestinal, and breast milk microbes.

The Microbiota in Infancy Development Process

The Microbiota in Infancy was developed through a rigorous scientific process to ensure safety, quality, and efficacy.

  • Samples from infant gut microbiota and breast milk were processed and genetically sequenced, drawing from Kaneka Probiotics' private strain bank, which includes samples from non-industrialized societies with healthy, diverse microbiotas.

  • Over 500 strains were screened through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo tests.

  • The top-performing two strains were selected, validated, and confirmed safe through toxicology, animal, and human clinical trials.

See Suporting Clinical Data

References

  1. Milani, C. et al. The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 81, (2017).
  2. Avershina, E. et al. Bifidobacterial succession and correlation networks in a large unselected cohort of mothers and their children. Appl Environ Microbiol 79, 497–507 (2013).
  3. Milani, C. et al. The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut: Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 81, (2017).
  4. Inchingolo, F.et al. Difference in the Intestinal Microbiota between Breastfeed Infants and Infants Fed with Artificial Milk: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2024, Vol. 13, Page 533 13, 533 (2024).
  5. Martin, R. et al. Early-Life Events, Including Mode of Delivery and Type of Feeding, Siblings and Gender, Shape the Developing Gut Microbiota. PLoS One 11, e0158498 (2016).
  6. Turroni, F. et al. Diversity of bifidobacteria within the infant gut microbiota. PLoS One 7, (2012).
Bode, L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology 22, 1147–1162 (2012).
  7. Zivkovic, A. M., German, J. B., Lebrilla, C. B. & Mills, D. A. Human milk glycobiome and its impact on the infant gastrointestinal microbiota. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108, 4653–4658 (2011).
  8. Yamada, C. et al. Molecular Insight into Evolution of Symbiosis between Breast-Fed Infants and a Member of the Human Gut Microbiome Bifidobacterium longum Article Molecular Insight into Evolution of Symbiosis between Breast-Fed Infants and a Member of the Human Gut Microbiome Bifidobacterium longum. Cell Chem Biol 24, 515–524 (2017).