Probiotics in human milk and probiotic supplementation in infant nutrition: a workshop report

Br J Nutr. 2014 Oct 14;112(7):1119-28. doi: 10.1017/S0007114514001949. Epub 2014 Aug 27.

Abstract

Probiotics in human milk are a very recent field of research, as the existence of the human milk microbiome was discovered only about a decade ago. Current research is focusing on bacterial diversity and the influence of the maternal environment as well as the mode of delivery on human milk microbiota, the pathways of bacterial transfer to milk ducts, possible benefits of specific bacterial strains for the treatment of mastitis in mothers, and disease prevention in children. Recent advances in the assessment of early host-microbe interactions suggest that early colonisation may have an impact on later health. This review article summarises a scientific workshop on probiotics in human milk and their implications for infant health as well as future perspectives for infant feeding.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Breast Feeding
  • Colic / microbiology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Formula
  • Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Mammary Glands, Human / microbiology
  • Mastitis / microbiology
  • Microbiota / physiology
  • Milk, Human / microbiology*
  • Obesity / microbiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage*
  • Probiotics / analysis*