(EA02-04-25) Infant Formula With a Synbiotic Blend of Human Milk Oligosaccharides, Bovine Milk Oligosaccharides, and B. Infantis Supports Healthy Gut Development

Scientific conference where the work was recently presented: 57th Annual Meeting of ESPGHAN (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition)

Date on which the work was previously presented at the scientific conference listed: May 14, 2025

Objectives: Modulating early-life gut microbiota development with age-adapted synbiotics may support gut health in formula-fed infants. We assessed microbiome and gut health indicators in healthy infants fed a new synbiotic-supplemented formula through age 6 months (mo).<

Methods: Infants aged ≥14 to ≤35 days (n=240) and exclusively formula-fed were randomized to receive control (CF; cow’s milk-based alpha-lactalbumin-enriched formula) or experimental formula (EF; same formula with 2.64 g/L added human identical milk oligosaccharides (HMOs; 2’-FL,3-FL,DFL,3’-SL,6’-SL,LNnT,LNT), 4.56 g/L bovine milk oligosaccharides (MOS), and 1x10⁶ CFU/g B. infantis LMG11588. Growth, gastrointestinal tolerance, and blood biomarker results are reported separately. Early-life gut and immune health indicators (fecal pH, secretory immunoglobulin A [sIgA], calprotectin, alpha-1 antitrypsin [AAT]) and microbiome signatures were analyzed at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 mo.

Results: Intra- and inter-individual microbiome diversity indices were different (p < 0.0001) in EF vs. CF-fed infants from 2-6 mo, indicating different microbiome compositions. EF-fed infants had significantly higher relative and absolute abundance of bifidobacteria driven by infant-type Bifidobacterium species (mainly B. infantis, B. breve, B. longum, B. bifidum) from 2-6 mo. B. infantis dominated in EF-fed infants and showed the strongest increase (p < 0.0001). From 2 mo, B. infantis prevalence (probiotic LMG11588 and endogenous strains) was virtually 100% in EF-fed infants, while most CF-fed infants had no detectable B. infantis through 6 mo. Infants born via C-section and without older siblings showed the strongest bifidobacteria increase in EF vs. CF from 2-6 mo. Mucolytic R. gnavus and the opportunistic pathogen C. difficile were higher in CF vs. EF from 2-6 mo. These microbiome differences promoted lower fecal pH in EF from 2-6 mo (p < 0.0001). Gut health and immune markers were different between groups with lower AAT (2, 4, and 6 mo; p < 0.05), lower calprotectin (4 mo, p=0.026), and higher sIgA (4 mo, p=0.034) in EF.

Conclusions: Infant formula supplemented with a synbiotic blend of HMOs, MOS, and B. infantis drives an infant-type gut microbiome progression that positively impacts gut and immune function.

Funding Sources: Société des Produits Nestlé SA