Infant Microbiota Development: Modern Challenges & Mitigation

Industrialization is like a double-edged sword; it has led to a multitude of societal benefits but has also negatively impacted human microbiota development and this has been linked to trends showing increased cesarean section delivery and the use of antibiotics in pregnancy. Additionally, there have been shifts in infant nutrition, hygiene, and lifestyle.1-3 Seeing as one of the most significant windows of opportunity to influence this trajectory is at birth (through the neonatal period), it is particularly relevant to understand the steps that can be taken to protect and support healthy infant microbiota development.4,5 

The Microbiota, Immunity, Metabolism & Neurodevelopment

While there is a robust body of evidence that demonstrates immune and metabolic perturbations associated with sub-optimal early-life microbiota development,6-12 epidemiologic findings have also suggested that C-section delivery may be associated with a variety of long-term neurodevelopmental anomalies.13 Microbial influence on brain physiology is vast, including supportive roles in synaptogenesis, microglia development, and maturation, and neurotransmitter regulation.14-18 In fact, compelling data exists which indicates the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is an extremely crucial period for their cognitive development and a healthy microbiota plays a pivotal role.19

Early Microbiota Support Offers Lasting Benefits

Delivery

Although vaginal delivery provides the most natural approach to infant microbial colonization, it is not always possible. One promising, albeit controversial, method to introduce the benefits to C-section babies is through post-partum inoculation with the maternal vaginal microbiota known as vaginal seeding. In a 2016 pilot, proof-of-concept study, four infants were swabbed with vaginal fluid two minutes after birth. At 30 days, the investigators reported that the seeded newborns were enriched with gut, oral, and skin microbes similar to vaginally delivered babies.20 While there are still considerable concerns about the safety and long-term efficacy of this approach, it is certainly worthy of further study.

Nutrition

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six months. Mother’s milk is the optimal nutrition to support healthy neonatal development and offers a variety of other benefits including a complex microbial component of more than 200 phylotypes.21 Although not fully elucidated, it has been suggested that the enteromammary pathway, via lymph and blood circulation, serves as the conduit for delivering healthy microbes from the maternal gut to the mammary glands and ultimately, to the baby.22 Unfortunately, up to one-third of lactating mothers cease breastfeeding due to discomfort and mammary dysbiosis. Historically, these mothers received conventional therapies but they were largely ineffective and frequently associated with unintended systemic consequences. Fortunately, Klaire Labs recently introduced Target B2™ (Breast and Baby), a targeted, single-strain probiotic specifically developed and studied to enhance its safety and efficacy in supporting breast comfort, extended lactation, and infant immune development.

Probiotic Supplementation

There is a compelling amount of evidence demonstrating both maternal/prenatal and neonatal probiotic supplementation supports a diverse infant microbiota and associated health benefits.23,24 The Ther-Biotic line of tailored formulations was developed to provide a broad synergistic blend of probiotics with specific emphasis on lifecycle. Ther-Biotic® for Infants specifically is a 10-species probiotic blend, in a base of inulin, designed to safely meet the metabolic, intestinal, and immune support needs of infants and young children. As the original, hypoallergenic probiotic offering, Ther-Biotic® remains the leading professionally distributed brand in the United States today.

Despite the challenges of modern living, it is certainly encouraging to know that there are multiple approaches to help support healthy microbiome development and all the short and long-term benefits associated with it.

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