(EA02-03-25) Formulas With Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Probiotics Help the Age-Appropriate Development of a Specific Bifidobacterium-Enriched Gut Microbiome Through Age 15 Months

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: Formulas supplemented with human identical milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics may promote immune-related benefits in formula-fed infants through supporting an age-appropriate gut microbiome development. We assessed gut microbiome development in infants fed formulas supplemented with 6 HMOs and two probiotics from birth to age 15 months (mo).

Methods: In a multicenter European trial (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04962594), infants aged ≤14 days and exclusively formula-fed were randomized to control formula (n=117, partially hydrolyzed 100% whey-based formula) or test formula (n=119, same formula supplemented with HMOs [2’FL, DFL, 3FL, LNT, 3’SL, 6’SL] at 1.77g/L until 6 mo, 0.87g/L from 6-12 mo, and 0.75g/L from 12-15 mo, and B. infantis [LMG11588; 5x10⁵ CFU/g], and B. lactis [CNCM I-3446; 1x10⁶ CFU/g]). Non-randomized breastfed infants (n=82) served as a reference group. Fecal samples were analyzed for microbiome and key metabolites.

Results: The following global microbiome indices showed significant differences between infants fed test or control formulas: 1) intra- (at 3 mo) and inter- (at 3 and 6 mo) individual diversity; 2) interindividual bifidobacteria diversity (3, 6 and 15 mo); and 3) microbiome maturation trajectory (with fewer infants off the trajectory in the test formula group). Butyrate and related microbial metabolic capacity were significantly lower in test versus control (3 and 6 mo; p<0.05) reaching similar levels thereafter following a more pronounced increase (6 to 12 mo) as seen in breastfed infants. At the level of taxa, relative abundance of infant-type bifidobacteria were higher through 6 mo in infants fed test versus those fed control; B. infantis and B. lactis were also higher through 15 mo. At the strain level, infants fed the test formula had higher B. infantis LMG11588 (supplemented in the formula), as well as other autochthonous strains through 15 mo.

Conclusions: Infant formulas supplemented with a specific synbiotic blend of six HMOs and two probiotics support the development of an age-appropriate gut microbiome with specific, beneficial bifidobacteria through age 15 mo. This may contribute to overall health and immune development.

Funding Sources: Société des Produits Nestlé SA